AJ McCarron suggests there are two things a white quarterback needs in order to be successful, and Alabama’s Ty Simpson has them.
“As a white quarterback on a team that is predominantly black, you have to have some swagger and be able to relate to your Black teammates,” McCarron said on “The Dynasty” broadcast. “Honest truth.”
The former Alabama star added it makes things tougher if you can’t relate to your teams off the field.
“If you go out and you’re not performing to the best of your ability, it’s just the way it is,” McCarron, who won two national titles in Tuscaloosa, said. “Dudes will turn against you.”
He pointed out his childhood experience in Mobile was to his advantage in that regard.
“How I grew up is different that (former Alabama quarterback Greg (McElroy),” McCarron said, adding that isn’t a shot at McElroy. “Greg didn’t grow up probably around a ton of Black people in Katy, Texas. In Mobile, we’re probably 50-50. Where I grew up, it was 70-30, so I was able to relate to dudes even at an early age where (former Alabama and NFL linebacker) Rolando McClain took me under his wing.”
In addition to relating to teammates, quarterbacks have to ball.
“If you’re scared of competition, you shouldn’t have taken your ass to Alabama,” McCarron said. “But you have to build a rapport with every dude on your team and be able to relate to those guys, then be able to go out and perform.
“That’s what’s going to set you apart from everyone else. If you don’t have relationships off the field, when s–t goes bad, it’s going to be tough on you and dudes are gonna push you to the side and not trust you anymore.”
Good news for Alabama fans, though, as McCarron said Simpson has what it takes to be under center for the Tide.
“Ty’s one of those guys,” he said. “I promise you. Ty has some swagger. He doesn’t show it as much. You’ll see him at times. He’s dancing. He’s got handshakes. He’s got that swagger about him, and a ltitle bit of, which I love, cockiness inside the white lines that you need to be successful to play the quarterback position and the quarterback position at Alabama.”
Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.
Parker 4-star recruit Vodney Cleveland is expected to announce his college decision at 3 p.m. on Saturday via social media.
The 6-foot-4, 308-pound DL has 30-plus offers, including Alabama — he previously committed to the Crimson Tide last season — and Auburn along with every other SEC school.
Most recruiting sites predict Cleveland to pick Texas.
Another 4-star recruit, Jackson’s EJ Crowell, will announce his choice on Thursday.
Crowell has offers from most SEC schools, including Alabama and Auburn along with Ohio State, Miami, Oregon, Penn State and more for the 5-11, 215-pound RB.
He’s predicted to choose Alabama.
COMMITMENTS
Troy recently picked up a trio of instate commitments, including Auburn 3-star recruit Trinton Pritchett, Gulf Shores’ Nicholas Hampton and Carver-Montgomery’s Kendarius Reynolds.
The 6-6, 280-pound Pritchett chose Troy over offers from Michigan State, North Carolina, Central Florida and Marshall.
A 6-3, 185-pound WR, Hampton had offers from UAB, South Alabama, Tulane, Arkansas State and more.
Offers for Reynolds also came from UAB, Arkansas State, Southern Miss, North Alabama and more for the 6-3, 185-pound ATH.
Parker’s Kentrell Davis announced his commitment to Georgia Tech on social media.
The 6-3, 190-pound 3-star WR also had offers from SEC schools Kentucky, Missouri and Vanderbilt along with Washington, West Virginia, Oregon, UAB and more.
In volleyball, McGill-Toolen setter Alice Wood committed to Kansas State.
The junior helped the Dirty Dozen to their third straight Class 7A title last season and was selected to the AL.com Super All-State team and named the Coastal Region Setter MVP.
OFFERS
Oak Mountain 4-star recruit Jayden Aparicio-Bailey continues to impress college coaches, earning an offer from Michigan.
The 6-2, 180-pound DB also has offers from most SEC shools, including Alabama and Auburn with Clemson, Oregon and USC among the others pursuing the star.
Briarwood 6-6, 323-pound sophomore OL Adrian Derico received his first offer from Mississippi State.
Buckhorn DL Ian Harrell picked up an offer from Rice for the 6-2, 280-pound senior.
Jackson DB Keegan Chapman announced an offer from Austin Peay.
The 5-11, 160-pound speedy senior — he won the Class 4A 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash — also has offers from North Carolina, Samford and North Alabama.
South Alabama offered several instate junior prospects, including Dothan’s Ai’King Hall, Mary G. Montgomery’s Kamron Smith, Pike Road’s Bryson Brooks and Center Point’s Jaylyn Rainey. All are juniors except for Rainey, who’s a senior.
A 6-1, 180-pound DB, Hall also has offers UAB and Troy while 6-foot, 205-pound Smith has offers from UAB and Alabama State among others.
It’s the first D1 offer for the 6-3, 280-pound Brooks.
The 6-3, 300-pound OL/DL Rainey also has offers from Arkansas State, Austin Peay and North Alabama.
“Rubin Grant was the best,” longtime friend Solomon Crenshaw Jr. said. “As a person, he was the highest standard individual in terms of not just being known but knowing how to carry himself. There was no one he didn’t get along with. No one with whom he couldn’t identify. Professionally, top notch doesn’t seem like a high enough bar. He absolutely loved his coverage of high schools and took it so seriously whether he was working for the Post-Herald, the Over the Mountain Journal or anyone else.”
Grant was a graduate of Carver-Montgomery and the University of Alabama. In 1978-1979, he worked as the first Black sports editor of the Crimson White student newspaper. He then spent 25 years at the Post-Herald, working with writers like Bill Lumpkin, Ray Melick and Paul Finebaum. In addition to covering high school sports, Grant also covered the Birmingham Barons for a quarter of a century and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2008.
“I remember him covering Charles Barkley in basketball,” Melick said. “And, of course, he covered Michael Jordan that summer in baseball with the Barons. Rubin really had a broad depth of things that he covered, but at his core he was just a great person. He loved his family, loved his friends, encouraged people, stayed in touch with people. He meant a lot to an awful lot of people even outside of sports.”
Longtime Birmingham Barons general manager Jonathan Nelson said he was “heartbroken” over Grant’s death.
“I certainly knew Rubin and his family through all of those years and thought the world of him,” he said. “Not only was he a great personality, but he brightened up the whole room. Whether covering the Barons when we won the championship in 1993 or the (Michael) Jordan year or the years after, Rubin was always a great person who had a contagious laugh, and it was always fun to show up at the ballpark and work with him.”
Nelson said Grant would always be remembered by the Barons because of his contributions to the minor league baseball organization.
“It was an honor to call him a friend,” he said.
Grant – along with Finebaum and Lumpkin – combined to win the ASWA’s Herby Kirby Award in 1981 for their coverage of the recruitment of Huntsville basketball standout Bobby Lee Hurt. The Herby Kirby Award is given annually to the year’s best overall sports story.
“It was truly one of the highlights of my life to share that award with Rubin and Bill Lumpkin,” Finebaum said. “It was the biggest story of my career, and we are forever linked to it. We spent a lot of time together on that story and other stories, and Rubin became an incredibly close friend and someone I cherished as a friend.”
Since 2004, Grant has worked as a freelance journalist and also as sports editor for The Over the Mountain Journal. He also co-authored the book “Tales from Alabama Prep Football” with former Birmingham News high school writer Ron Ingram.
“Rubin and I worked at rival newspapers in Birmingham for many years but from day one we struck up a professional friendship that led to a treasured bond in our professional and personal lives,” Ingram said. “He was a rock for me when I needed it, and he was a true professional at his craft. He was a journalist of high standards who happened to write about sports. He saw the human side of sports and the lessons those games could teach to our young people, and he told those lessons well. That was his profession. However, it was his life of caring for others that stands out to me on this sad day for his friends and family.”
In 2021, Grant was honored by the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame with the Mel Allen Media Award, which honors media members in the state who have made a lifetime contribution to sports through their work.
“Rubin was kind to everyone,” said Scott Myers, executive director of the ASHOF. “He loved Jesus and was just a wonderful person to be around. He was a mainstay in the sports writing world in Birmingham for so many years. He will surely be missed. It’s a huge loss for the sports world in Alabama, and everyone who knew him.”
Grant also was a licensed Baptist minister and frequently sent carefully written devotionals to friends and others entitled, “Do you know what time it is?” Finebaum said one of the most moving experiences of his life came when he attended the funeral of Rubin’s mom.
“Rubin gave the eulogy,” he said. “I didn’t know that part of him, the preacher side. He gave a eulogy that was electrifying. From that moment, I started thinking, ‘Rubin has a higher calling than being a sports writer.’ That was an eye-opening experience. I knew he was a man of great faith but to see it displayed in a pulpit in a church of Montgomery, Ala., was quite revealing. That is who he was. Sports writing was a hobby for him. Preaching and helping people and ministering to people was his calling. Having said all that, he was a great sports writer, too.”
Ingram said Grant was a true legend.
“He taught all of us how to be better individuals,” he said. “His faith and family are what mattered most to him.”
Arrangements have not been finalized yet.
Sports writer Dennis Victory contributed to this report.
Critics of Donald Trump accused the president of hypocrisy after he railed on social media against “too many non-working holidays” on Juneteenth.
“Too many non-working holidays in America. It is costing our Country $BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to keep all of these businesses closed,” the president posted to his Truth Social account on Juneteenth. “The workers don’t want it either! Soon we’ll end up having a holiday for every once working day of the year. It must change if we are going to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Trump’s post did not mention Juneteenth by name, but the Truth Social post was made on June 19, which marks the day in 1865 when word finally reached the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas that they were free — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed.
Then-President Joe Biden made Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021.
Critics pointed out that Trump has taken the equivalent of more than four weeks to go golfing while claiming there are “too many non-working holidays.”
“Says the so-called ‘president’ who spends so much of his time golfing, it’s gonna cost us $100 million in 2025 alone,” tweeted Joanne Carducci, a liberal influencer known as JoJofromJerz on X.
The Lincoln Project, a group founded by Republicans critical of Trump, also referenced Trump’s golf game while condemning the Truth Social post.
“Guy who has golfed 33 days this year thinks Americans need to work more,” the account stated.
“Laziest man in the world wants you to work harder,” tweeted Trump critic Shannon Watts.
The account suggested that Trump holds contempt for Black Americans.
“The fact that he chose Juneteenth to rant about federal holidays tells you everything you need to know about what really bothers him, and it’s not the closed businesses,” the account tweeted.
Others noted the timing of Trump’s post.
“Trump wasn’t complaining about too many holidays on President’s Day,” tweeted Ron Filipkowski, a former Republican-turned-Trump critic who is editor-in-chief of MeidasTouch Network.
Filipkowski also tweeted that Trump announced his support for the holiday while courting Black voters ahead of the 2020 election.
“He speaks much differently about this stuff when it’s an election year,” Filipkowski tweeted while posting an old tweet where Trump said he was moving the date of a Tulsa, Oklahoma campaign rally because it fell on Juneteenth.
The White House was asked if Trump was acknowledging Juneteenth.
“I’m not tracking his signature on a proclamation today. I want to thank all of you for showing up to work. We are certainly here. We are working 24/7 right now,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Thursday.
A Bessemer woman has been charged after police say she shot into a vehicle because she was angry over a parking spot at the Calera Walmart.
Destinie Nicole Rogers,38, is charged with shooting into an occupied vehicle.
The incident happened just after 11 a.m. Thursday.
Chief David Hyche said all three units on duty were working accidents and responded to the parking lot, along with two school resources officers who supplement patrol in the summer.
They arrived to find the victim’s vehicle had a bullet hole in the back driver’s side door that exited the passenger side rear window.
“The path of the bullet traveled close to a car seat that was thankfully unoccupied” Hyche said.
The victim and witnesses told officers Rogers exited her vehicle brandishing a gun and fired into the victim’s car.
A description of the vehicle and the shooter was broadcast. Rogers was located within 20 minutes, Hyche said.
Rogers had apparently switched tags after leaving the shooting scene, but the chief said the description given by the victim and witnesses was detailed. Walmart security video also helped identify the suspect.
Rogers was booked into the Shelby County Jail pending charges, which were issued Friday.
“Our country has serious problems when people get so angry over a parking spot that they pull out a gun and fire into an occupied vehicle,” Hyche said. “If a child had been in that car seat this could have been a far more tragic event.”
Hyche thanked the witnesses for coming forward, as well as officers who were short-staffed.
A 13-year-old girl was killed in an overnight shooting in Montgomery.
Police identified the young victim as Diamond Moore.
Officers and fire medics were dispatched at 2:30 a.m. to the 5000 block of Greensboro Court in Montgomery.
Sgt. Tina McGriff said Diamond was pronounced dead on the scene.
Police officials did not release any details surrounding the shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at 334-625-2831, the Secret Witness tip line at 334-625-4000, or Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP.
According to an aviation investigation preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board, NTSB, the cause of the plane crash was the pilot attempting to avoid a turtle on the runway at Sugar Valley Airport in Mocksville.
A UNICOM operator spotted the turtle and warned a pilot who had landed on the runway. The pilot then lifted the right main wheel to avoid hitting the turtle, the report said.
“The UNICOM operator stated that she heard the pilot advance the throttle after he raised the right wheel,” the NTSB report said. “The airplane left her point of view, and she was unable to see the airplane after that.”
A witness said the wings of the plane “began to rock back and forth” before it took to the air again. The witness lost sight of the plane after it dipped behind the hanger and over the trees, where it vanished, the report said.
The witness then “heard a loud crash and saw smoke.”
The NTSB said the plane was discovered more than 250 feet from the end of the runway.
“The airplane was wedged between several trees and remained in one piece except for a few pieces of fabric that were found in an adjacent stream next to the accident site,” the report said.
“The fabric on the fuselage, cowling, and wings was completely burned off and the airplane frame was visible.”
The pilot and a passenger were killed, and another passenger was severely injured, per the report. The identities of the individuals who died have not been publicly released.
On Friday at 10:05 a.m. a flood warning was released by the National Weather Service valid from Monday 7 p.m. until Wednesday 10 a.m. for Clarke and Washington counties.
The weather service describes, “Minor flooding is forecast for Tombigbee River near Leroy.”
“At 24.0 feet, flooding of low-lying farm and pasturelands begins. Cattle in low-lying areas should be moved to higher ground. Water approaches low-lying roads on west side of river,” states the weather service.
Your guide to weather alerts: advisories, watches, and warnings
Flash flood warning: Take action!
A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood-prone area, move immediately to high ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain.
Flood warning: Take action!
A flood warning is declared when flooding is on the verge of happening or is already underway.
Flood advisory: Be aware:
A flood advisory is issued when flooding is not expected to be bad enough to issue a warning. However, it may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.
Flood watch: Be prepared:
A flood watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.
When floods strike: Guidelines from the weather service for your protection
In flood-prone regions or while camping in low-lying areas, understanding and following the weather service flood safety guidelines can be a lifesaver:
Move to higher ground:
If you reside in a flood-prone region or are camping in low-lying terrain, the first step to safety is relocating to higher ground.
Adhere to evacuation orders:
If local authorities issue an evacuation order, heed it promptly. Prior to leaving, secure your home by locking it.
Disconnect utilities and appliances:
If time allows, disconnect your utilities and appliances. This reduces the risk of electrical hazards during flooding.
Steer clear of flooded basements and submerged areas:
Avoid basements or rooms submerged in water with electrical outlets or cords. Preventing electrical accidents is crucial.
Evacuate promptly for safety:
If you notice sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping sounds, evacuate without delay. Do not enter water that may carry an electrical charge.
Refrain from walking in floodwaters:
Never attempt to walk through floodwaters, even if they appear shallow. Just 6 inches of fast-moving water can forcefully sweep you off your feet.
Seek high ground if trapped:
Should you become trapped by moving water, reach the highest point possible and dial 911 to contact emergency services.
During heavy rain, flooding is possible, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas. Never drive through water on the road, even if it does not appear to be deep. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars, according to the weather service. Prioritize your safety by staying informed and prepared.
Driving through downpours: Safety guidelines for wet roads
When heavy rain pours, the risk of flooding and treacherous roads rises. Here’s your guide from the weather service to staying safe during downpours:
Beware of rapid water flow:
In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger.
Maintain safe driving distances:
The two-second rule for following distance is your ally in heavy rain. Extend it to four seconds to ensure safe spacing in adverse conditions.
Slow down and stay cautious:
On wet roads, reducing your speed is crucial. Ease off the gas pedal gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.
Choose your lane wisely:
Stick to the middle lanes to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. Outer lanes are more prone to accumulating water.
Prioritize visibility:
Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by activating your headlights. Be particularly vigilant for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.
Watch out for slippery roads:
Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. Grime and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery.
Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:
Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely.
Mind your windshield wipers:
Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely limits your sight, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or protected spots.
If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.
By following these safety measures, you can significantly reduce risks and ensure your well-being when heavy rain pours down. Stay informed about weather conditions and heed advice from local authorities to make your journey safe and sound.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
Dolly Parton has teamed up with Mötley Crüe for a reimagined version of the heavy metal band’s classic single “Home Sweet Home.”
The country music legend is featured not only can be heard during the chorus but also takes the lead.
Dubbed “Dolly Crüe,” “Home Sweet Home” was released Friday and is available on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and more.
“‘Home Sweet Home’ was first released in 1985 as a single from our ‘Theatre of Pain’ album,” a band statement read, per Billboard. “For an icon like Dolly Parton to sing on a song that has not only meant so much to us but to all the fans through the years, is a career high that means a lot to us. We couldn’t be happier to celebrate the 40th anniversary of ‘Home Sweet Home’ in this special way, and we’re excited to share this version of the song with all the Dolly and Mötley fans around the world.”
A portion of proceeds from Mötley Crüe and Parton’s new “Home Sweet Home” will benefit Covenant House.
“That we were able to unite with Dolly to raise awareness for homeless youth and the amazing work of Covenant House, which provides them safe housing and care, makes it even more special. We hope you’ll enjoy ‘Home Sweet Home’ featuring Dolly Parton as much as Dolly and we enjoyed creating it,” the Mötley Crüe statement read.
Marshall County Commission Chairman David Reed died Thursday, less than two weeks after being appointed to the position.
Reed died Thursday following a fall at his residence, the Arab Tribune posted on its Facebook page. The newspaper stated Marshall County Attorney Clint Maze had announced Reed’s death.
Ivey appointed Reed to the position on June 6 following the death of longtime Chairman James Hutcheson, who passed away on May 3.
In appointing Reed chairman, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said Reed was known throughout north Alabama and the state as a successful business man and community leader.
“Reed’s many achievements in business have literally paved the way for economic growth and prosperity in the Tennessee Valley and at home in Marshall County,” the governor said. “Over his career, he rose from superintendent to CEO of a prosperous road construction company while also devoting 15 years as a member of the Guntersville Board of Education. Reed’s broad experience and proven leadership make him very qualified to serve the people as Chairman of the Marshall County Commission.”
Reed said he was honored to fill the role after being appointed.
“James Hutcheson filled this role starting in 2010 and I will work hard to continue his good works,” he said in a statement released by Ivey’s office. “I look forward to working for the people of Marshall County.”
In 1978, Reed joined Whitaker Contracting Corp, Inc. as superintendent of Aggregate and Asphalt Construction. He was promoted to President of the company in 2000 and CEO in 2017. During his tenure, Whitaker Contracting, Corp, Inc. revenues grew to $139 million with 350 employees. His career is also marked by holding statewide positions of president of the Alabama Road Builders Association and twice President of the Alabama Asphalt Paving Association. He was also elected to the Road Builders Hall of Fame. Additionally, he served 15 years on the Guntersville Board of Education, including four years as chairman.
A graduate of Albertville High School, Reed received his bachelor of science degree in Education from The University of Alabama in 1978.