What They're Saying About Alabama at SEC Media Days: Day 1
Commissioner Greg Sankey didn't specifically mention the Alabama Crimson Tide during his introductory speech Monday at 2023 SEC Media Days in Nashville, but he did indirectly comment on the baseball gambling scandal.
He used it to try and shine the spotlight on how gambling is becoming a greater issue, not just coaches, but athletes and officials.
"This spring our conference was touched by an apparent element of conduct that calls into question the integrity of competition or the individuals involved in that competition, and we're not alone as participants from other conferences, some faced accountability for involvement in sports wagering activity," he said.
"There are now 38 states with some form of legalized sports gambling. States now realize directly into their treasury the proceeds, either from licensing fees or taxation of that legalized gambling activity. In some states it's relatively low, a few million or a few tens of millions relative to the state budgets. One state realized over a billion dollars in licensing and tax revenue paid to the State Treasury from legalized sports gambling.
"But here's the reality for us. We continue to hear more and more from our coaches and student-athletes about the increased level of abusive and threatening behavior online, often directed at them after someone involved in gambling activity ends up on the wrong side of a score or a game's outcome."
Here are some more direct comments about the Crimson Tide from Monday:
LSU Coach Brian Kelly
We're excited about what we've done in a very short period of time. The foundation of success is built in consistency. Alabama and Georgia continue to hold that mantle of consistency in terms of playing for championships, and that's what we'll be looking to be at LSU, is playing for championships consistently, year in and year out.
You don't do it by just being a one-and-done. You've got to be able to do that over a period of time, and that's really the transition from year one to year two. Where in year one I was learning the league. I was learning how to go on the road and play in the kind of environments. I was learning our roster and our strengths and weaknesses.
LSU RB Josh Williams
Q. The win over Alabama last year, what did that mean to this program in terms of what you're trying to build there?
JOSH WILLIAMS: It meant everything. Alabama is our rival game, and it was a big deal being at Tiger Stadium, Saturday night. And just the way we won the game and everybody running onto the field and just giving us that momentum for the rest of the year, I think it really helped us push forward.
LSU DL Mehki Wingo
Q. Last year you played both Alabama and Georgia. Was there a distinction between the two teams? Do you feel that Georgia has surpassed Alabama in terms of being the pinnacle of college football?
I wouldn't say there's a distinction between the two teams. There are two great offensive lines, two great quarterbacks, and two great coaches on both.
Georgia, obviously the defending national champs, so they have the trophy right now. But both programs are phenomenal, and we'll be looking forward to playing them this year.
LSU QB Jayden Daniels
Q. You and Coach Kelly came in at the same time. How much did it mean to you two to get that win over Alabama? What did that mean to the program, and how much fun has it been watching him have so much fun talking about it?
It's meant a lot obviously. He lost to Alabama in the National Championship Game, so it meant a lot to him to get that win. It meant a lot to the state of Louisiana to get that win against Alabama at home for the first time in a while.
It's just been fun seeing Coach Kelly enjoy his time at LSU, because if your head coach is not enjoying it, then the players are going to look at it and not enjoy it also. So he is enjoying his time here. He is enjoying coaching us, and we enjoy being around him.
Texas A&M WR Ainias Smith
Q. Who are some of the best DBs that you've gone against in the SEC so far?
Great question. One I probably would have to say Patrick Surtain being up there as one. He was one of those guys that is very patient, very hard to get around. He definitely plays his technique very well.
Another guy I'll have to say is Jaycee Horn out of South Carolina. He was very tough.
There's a few guys that I can name, but those are the two off the top of my head.
Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher
Q. Coach, it's been a little over a year since you went back and forth with Nick Saban in terms of recruiting. Where do you guys stand on your recruiting class, and how do you guys feel about your rankings in terms of recruiting --
JIMBO FISHER: Where we are in the recruiting class? I don't know what the rankings are, but I like the guys -- I don't ever follow rankings. We follow the guys we want to get and we recruit, and we feel very comfortable with those guys on our own evaluations and the things that go on.
Sometimes I guess you agree with the guys out in recruiting and sometimes you don't. That's why we always try to pick our own guys. But we like the guys we have. I think we've got a very good class going, and hopefully we'll continue to build on that because at the end of the day you've got to recruit players.
This story will be updated
