So one of Nick Saban’s star players is sitting in the Tuscaloosa County Jail, and if that was never the title of a Johnny Cash song, it certainly should have been. But here’s a twist that would have surprised even the Man in Black — not only is Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw locked in the hoosegow, but his girlfriend is as well. And guess who the young lady’s dad is supporting? Yep, the boyfriend.
Sometimes team loyalty is thicker than blood, especially in the SEC. Both Upshaw and his girlfriend, Kendall Gryzb, were arrested on Wednesday on the UA campus in what police say was a domestic violence dispute in the parking lot of the Student Recreation Center. Look, we could go on all day about who pulled whose hair and who slapped who in the face. Suffice it to say that there was plenty of both; and according to witnesses, Gryzb gave as good as she got.
Not that that’s OK. Fighting with girls, while generally acceptable in a grade school playground setting, is not cool amongst grownup people. Walk away, Courtney, walk away. But Saban evidently hasn’t gotten around to that seminar yet, so he’s down a player.
This is not sitting well with Dave Gryzb, father of Upshaw’s girlfriend. His daughter may have cost Alabama one or two wins! From the MOBILE PRESS-REGISTER:
“I hate to see this guy get in too much trouble because I honestly think it was probably initiated by my daughter,” Mr. Grzyb said. “I don’t think he laid a hand on her. He just tried to restrain her to keep from getting hit again.”
“Thanks, dad. My father, folks.”
See what Kendall’s 2,000 or so Facebook friends have to say about the altercation here. If no one’s talking, at least enjoy her profile photo, which is better than the one above.
Meanwhile, Saban said that Upshaw will not be suspended for the incident. Of course not. Sounds like he may even get a medal.
6:26 pm on August 21st, 2009
saban the snake he could care less as long as he can tan
4:24 pm on August 22nd, 2009
lets see……
white southern girl dates black guy.
black guy fights white girlfriend.
white girl’s dad defends black guy because he plays for a major program like ‘bama and might make $millions in the nfl. THE FATHER JUST SOLD OUT HIS OWN DAUGHTER….PUBLICLY!!! YOU NEVER DO THAT TO YOUR FAMILY. JUST KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!!!! EVEN IF SHE IS WRONG YOU NEVER RAT OUT YOUR DAUGHTER!!!!
after looking at her page, she seems to have grownup watching a lot of MTV, listening to hip hop, rap, yo yo yo, has to date a black guy to be cool yo. to appear “politically correct yo. see, look at me i aint no racist, you got a problem wit me dating a black guy? you da racist.
another dumb girl wanting to fit in and look cool.
she has no values, no morals, so she will go back to the guy. they will get into another fight cause thats the thug life promoted in rap and hip hop which she probably grew up on.
normal people do NOT associate with people who they get into fights with, let alone DATE THEM.
then again, this could be another lawrence phillips in the making. a football program looking the other-way when a player does things he shouldnt because he can help you win.
just a social commentary.
10:23 pm on August 22nd, 2009
The dad is definitely on the short list for Bama Fan of the Year.
2:21 pm on September 17th, 2009
This is a ridiculous attempt to once again hound Alabama when it has absolutely nothing to do with the fans. Just because her dad took the guys side….DOES NOT mean that it’s because he’s sticking to team loyalty. That’s the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Anyone that knows Courtney….knows that he is not going to hit/fight a girl. The only “violent” action that ACTUALLY occured that night from Courtney was grabbing her to STOP her from hitting him AGAIN.
Another side note…Kendall and Courtney were NOT dating when this happened…she just got jealous over him talking to another girl. So yeah…if I was her dad I probably would have taken Courtney’s side too, knowing that my daughter will chase down and hit someone for talking to another girl when she’s not even DATING him.
He gave the quote in order to help Courtney who was INNOCENT..so before you go name calling and judging a situation incorrectly…get your facts straight!