Alabama News

UAB catcher Nick Hollifield was selected by the Washington Nationals in the 14th round of the MLB Draft on Monday with the 411th overall pick.

He becomes the third Blazer drafted on Monday, joining outfielder Logan Braunschweig and pitcher Colin Daniel, who were both drafted by the Atlanta Braves.

A 5-foot-11, 190-pound catcher, Hollifield appeared in 52 games for UAB last season and started all but one of those games. He batted .266 with five home runs, 13 doubles and 30 RBIs with a .376 on-base percentage.

He finished with a .995 fielding percentage with 371 putouts, catching 10 runners stealing as a junior. He was also named to the midseason watchlist for the Buster Posey Award.

Hollifield played in 111 games with 98 starts during his UAB career with a career .254 batting average and .375 on-base percentage, logging 722 putouts.

A native of Hoschton, Ga., and graduate of Mill Creek High School, he was a member of the Conference USA all-freshman team in 2023 with a perfect fielding 1.000 percentage in 23 games played.

Nick Saban walked up to Damien Harris right before Alabama football went out for warmups.

The Crimson Tide was about to face Tennessee in 2018, and Saban broke the news to his starting running back.

We’re going to have to play the other guy today. Your job is just to be a cheerleader.

That week, Harris had been late to a meeting. So he wasn’t shocked that Josh Jacobs was getting the start instead.

Saban started to walk away, then he turned around and looked at Harris.

I want you to understand this isn’t because you were late. It isn’t because you made a mistake. It’s because you didn’t come talk to me about it. You didn’t take ownership of your mistake.

“That was one of the most powerful moments to me because that was when I started to realize truly … coaches always talk about these are life lessons,” Harris told AL.com as part of the Beat Everyone podcast. “These aren’t football lessons. You hear that in little league, you hear that in middle school, high school, etc. That was the first time in my life I felt like I was learning a life lesson through football.”

Harris had been late to a Friday meeting, what he said was the first and only time he was late to a meeting. He overslept. Then, he told some people he was going to be late because he didn’t know the best way to handle it.

“The No. 1 thing you don’t do is walk into a Nick Saban meeting late,” Harris said. “They told me, ‘Listen just come in. Lay low. We’ll figure it out from there.’”

Harris never talked to Saban that day, though.

“I’m like, OK, this is weird,” Harris said. “Then you get to Saturday.”

That’s when Saban removed Harris from the starting lineup, who would become a captain that season.

Being that guy and not coming to talk to me about that, I felt like that was a lack of accountability. Because of that, I feel like you should be punished. Not because you made a mistake, but because you just didn’t have any accountability. You didn’t own up to it.

“I tell people this story all the time,” said Harris, now a CBS Sports analyst. “It’s not funny. It’s not a joke. This is what Nick Saban is about.

“Football is a vehicle to teach us how to live our lives a certain way. How to have a certain level of discipline, a certain level of respect, detail orientation, that will benefit us long after we’re done playing football. That for me was an ‘ah-ha moment’ for me.”

Beat Everyone is available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow the show on your favorite platform to automatically receive new episodes every Monday and Wednesday evening.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.

Former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has been suspended from his position as the head football coach at Miami Northwestern Senior High School (Fla.).

He confirmed the news in a Facebook post, with the suspension dealt from the school itself after Bridgewater allegedly provided impermissible benefits to his players.

This comes one week after he posted on social media that he covered things such as Uber rides, meals, clothes and training camps for his players with his own personal funds.

Bridgewater also noted in the post that he self-reported the purchases, with the Florida High School Athletic Association also investigating the matter.

“The suspension came from MNW and it’s impossible to suspend someone who doesn’t work for you,” he wrote on Facebook. “So if im suspended from MNW im free to go to another school of my choice but IM NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

“And if it comes down to it, I will volunteer from the bleachers like I used to in 2018 and 2019 when no one had a problem.”

In his Facebook post last week that said he paid for multiple things for his athletes, he asked fans and supporters for donations to go towards different things that he claimed he paid for himself last season; those included training camp ($14,000), “pride sets” ($9,500), pregame meals ($2,200) and more.

Bridgewater led Miami Northwestern, his alma mater, to the 2024 FHSAA Class 3A state championship in his first season as head coach, beating previously unbeaten Raines 41-0 in the title game; it marked the program’s eighth championship.

His NFL career spanned from 2014-24 across various teams, spending the 2023 and 2024 seasons with the Detroit Lions as a backup. A Louisville alum, he has played in 79 career games with 65 starts, throwing for a career 15,120 yards and 75 touchdowns in the NFL.

The announcement sparked the response of many around the NFL to defend Bridgewater, including former quarterback and current media personality Robert Griffin III.

“He got suspended for taking care of his players when they were in need, teaching them how to take care of their bodies and giving them the necessities to help them chase their dreams for a brighter future,” he wrote on social media.

“Not cheating. Not stealing. Just caring. He gave them the tools to chase a better future and is getting punished for it. Suspending Teddy Bridgewater isn’t justice. It’s punishing love, leadership, and sacrifice.”

Others to respond in defense of Bridgewater include longtime Saints defensive end Cam Jordan and Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor member Chad Johnson.

The season one finale of the hit reality series Virgins premieres on TLC Monday, July 14 at 9/8c.

Those hoping to tune in for this season’s finale can find it available for streaming through Philo (free trial), DirecTV (free trial) or Sling (50% off first month).

Previous episode recap

Last week’s episode saw the Virgins season one cast’s continued pursuits in their late-blooming journey into intimacy. While delving into different methods for meeting someone, the cast remained in good spirits and the episode included plenty of jaw-dropping moments.

One of the most entertaining and moving parts of last week’s episode titled “Stealing Home” was Deanne’s participating in a comedy show dating event. During her involvement, she was blindfolded on stage and found herself opening up to the audience about her lack of intimacy at the age of 35.

During Deanne’s tell-all, another contestant named Conrad was moved by Deanne’s stark vulnerability and agreed to go on a date with her.

Other major breakthroughs in last week’s episode include Sonali getting more comfortable with her therapist Wayne, Rhasha accepting a friend’s invitation to an adult resort, and Alex attending speed dating where he met a woman named Lauren.

On the upcoming season finale episode titled “Grand Slam” the show follows Rhasha as she arrives at the adult resort, Secrets Hideaway. Meanwhile, Deanne continues to explore her attraction to Conrad, and Alex fills Lauren in on his lack of intimacy, hoping she takes it well.

How to watch the Virgins season 1 finale

Cord cutters looking to catch the season one finale of TLC’s Virgins can stream the premiere live through Philo, DirecTV or Sling.

Both Philo and DirecTV offer free trials for new subscribers to enjoy before committing to a paid plan while Sling offers those that commit to a paid subscription half off their first month.

Out of the three streaming services listed above, Philo is the cheapest at just $28 a month after its 7-day free trial concludes.

What is Philo?

Philo is considered one of the most affordable streaming platforms on the market. Known as an entertainment-focused streaming service, Philo offers its subscribers access to over 70 top-rated TV channels such as TLC, MTV, BET, AMC, CMT, Investigation Discovery and more.

New users can enjoy Philo’s 7-day free trial and continue to stream top channels, hit TV shows and movies on-demand for just $28 a month once the free trial expires.

Those looking to customize their flow of content even further on Philo can consider including add-ons such as MGM+, STARZ, and AMC+ in their subscription.

What is DirecTV?

DirecTV is a top streaming service perfect for those looking to access a plethora of live TV channels and enjoy helpful features. The base package starts at just $86.99 a month after its 5-day free trial and includes popular TV channels such as HGTV, ESPN, Bravo, CMT, CNBC, BET, CNN and more.

DirecTV has also recently introduced a lineup of genre packs, which allows subscribers to choose their favorite viewing options based on what genre they watch the most. With genre packs, users can get the channels and content they want without filler channel overload. Packs start at just $34.99 a month.

Those interested in comparing all DirecTV’s channel packages and the new genre packs can check them out here.

What is Sling?

Sling is another streaming service to consider if you want to access top-rated TV channels like TLC. Though no free trial is available to new subscribers, those who commit to a paid plan get half off the first month.

Both the Sling Orange plan and the Sling Blue plan are normally $45.99 a month, but with the current promotion, Sling users will pay just $23 a month for the first month.

For those who wish to access channels from both the Sling Blue and Sling Orange plans can do so by signing up for the Orange + Blue plan, which combines the best of both plans for just $60.99 a month ($30.50 for the first month).

In January of 2024, the college football world shifted.

That was when Alabama coach Nick Saban retired from the game. Since then, Saban, 73, has been an analyst for ESPN’s “College GameDay.”

However, former Crimson Tide quarterback Greg McElroy said he had heard Saban could return to the game. It has been the talk of the first day of SEC Media Days.

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin believes his former boss isn’t done coaching.

But what about the guy that broke the news that Saban was retiring? Does he see a scenario where the analyst returns to the sidelines?

“I don’t see it,” ESPN’s Chris Low told AL.com on Monday. “I guess you never say never. Nick will be 74 in October. I think probably the person who’ll make that decision is Miss Terry. I don’t think Nick makes that decision. I’m being facetious there.

Low explained – in talking with Saban – he learned how difficult it was for the former coach to hang up the whistle.

“He loves coaching,” Low said. “He loves being in the locker room, loves being with the players. He made that decision to walk away, and it was for good.

“I don’t ever see him getting back into the NFL. I know he’s not crazy about the climate right now in college football in this era of (revenue) sharing and NIL.”

That’s not to say Saban couldn’t win, Low said.

“He’s great at adapting and evolving as he has proven through his career, but I don’t see coaching horizons out there for him. He’s a competitive guy, I know that.”

Kiffin, on the other hand, called coaching an addiction for guys like Saban.

“That’s why I never thought it would last,” Kiffin said of Saban’s retirement. “It’s been two years, and I still don’t think it will last because of that addiction to it.

“He has the highest level of addiction to it because he’s the same guy that goes to a little kids camp and he is coaching it the same way because he is so into it. He’s screaming at them. He’s yelling at them. They got the helmets on like at Alabama. Half the kids don’t come back the second day.”

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.

Homewood Mayor Alex Wyatt continues to call on the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to allow the family of Jabari Peoples to view body camera footage from the June 23 fatal shooting.

“As the Mayor of Homewood, I continue to urge the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to allow the family of Jabari Peoples to view the body camera footage from the June 23 shooting incident,” Wyatt said in a Monday statement. “Their request is completely understandable.”

Wyatt said the city legally doesn’t have the authority to release the footage because ALEA has taken over the investigation. Under the law, it controls access to evidence because it is the custodian of the footage.

“We know this is an incredibly difficult time for everyone involved,” Wyatt said in his statement, “and want objective results made available to the family and the public as quickly as possible.”

Also Monday, the family’s attorneys – including Ben Crump and Leroy Maxwell – announced they will hold a press conference Tuesday to announce the findings of an independent autopsy they had done.

Read full coverage of the case here

Peoples, 19, was a 2024 graduate of Aliceville High School where he was standout track athlete and football player.

Peoples had just finished his freshman year at Alabama A & M where he was studying computer information and criminal justice with hopes of becoming a law enforcement officer, specifically a detective.

He was shot to death that Monday night in Homewood Soccer Park.

Homewood police say a veteran officer, who has not been publicly identified, approached the vehicle to investigate because of a recent increase in criminal activity in and around the city’s athletic complexes.

The officer, police say, smelled marijuana and ordered Peoples and his female friend out of the vehicle.

Police say the encounter ended with Peoples resisting, breaking away from the officer as he tried to handcuff him, and grabbing a gun from the driver’s side door pocket.

The officer shot Peoples, who was pronounced dead a short time later at UAB Hospital.

Peoples’ family and attorneys disagreed with that narrative, saying that Peoples wasn’t armed and didn’t resist.

The Homewood Police Department turned the investigation over to ALEA, which is standard policy for many officer-involved shootings.

ALEA denied the family’s request to see the footage, saying the release of the video would jeopardize the ongoing investigation.

Though Alabama provides a way for families to view body camera and dash cam videos, the same law also allows law enforcement to withhold the footage for investigative purposes.

There have been several protests following the fatal shooting, including at the Homewood Police Department, ALEA’s office in west Homewood, Homewood City Hall and during the World Police and Fire Games in the Birmingham area.

The family’s attorneys have filed a motion in Jefferson County Circuit Court seeking to preserve critical evidence and identify parties as the family considers a potential wrong death and civil right lawsuit.

The City of Homewood on Friday filed a response in Jefferson County Court seeking to have the petition dismissed, citing ALEA as the custodian of the footage and all other investigative material.

Peoples’ funeral was held Saturday at Aliceville City Hall.

Diego Pavia was more subdued than usual. The Vanderbilt quarterback has a habit of getting excited and dropping profanity in interviews, including after he and his Commodore teammates beat then-No. 1 Alabama football in October.

By the time he appeared at SEC media days on Monday, Pavia had clearly been coached up. He never took the bait to start talking trash, even when the opportunity was offered.

When asked about facing the Crimson Tide again in 2025, he kept his answer simple.

“That stadium is electric,” Pavia said of what he was looking forward to. “I’ve heard about it. And you, just going to come down to who’s more prepared that week and who wants it more.”

To say Vanderbilt beating Alabama rattled the world of college football was underselling the response. In one game, the mighty Crimson Tide dynasty was shattered, while the perception of the Commodores went from the ultimate SEC doormat, playing in an active construction site, to the sport’s upset kings.

Pavia was a ball of energy after the game. Recalling it on Monday, he was quick to credit his teammates.

“”We had (tight end) Eli Stowers, who had a big game for us that week,” Pavia said. “And then obviously (wide receiver) Junior Sherill had a big week too. But I think it’s just who comes more prepared to the game. And I feel like that week, we were the more prepared team.”

The rematch is coming Oct. 4 in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Earlier this offseason, UA wideout Ryan Williams made headlines talking about the upcoming game against Vanderbilt, claiming the Crimson Tide will “Kill an ant with a sledgehammer.”

Pavia then shared rap lyrics to his Instagram story, laid over a photo of Williams. However, when asked about it on Monday, he remained polite.

“Obviously he’s a great competitor,” Pavia said. “The kid is naturally talent, gift from God, you know? So I’ll be excited to play him in his home stadium.”

Alabama is scheduled to open the 2025 season on Aug. 30, at Florida State. The Crimson Tide will begin preseason camp in early August.

Samford pitcher Cameron Keshock was selected in the 12th round of the 2025 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Monday, going to the Pittsburgh Pirates with the No. 353 overall pick.

The 6-foot-7 Keshock, who began his college career at Auburn, posted a 5-4 record with a 5.74 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 77 innings (15 games) for the Bulldogs this season. The former Spanish Fort High School standout pitched in a total of 10 games at Auburn in 2023 and 2024.

Samford had two players drafted in 2024, shortstop Garrett Howe by Cleveland in the 11th round and pitcher Michael Ross by Minnesota in the 18th round. The 2025 draft concludes on Monday, with 20 rounds total.

Make it two former UAB baseball players that will head to Atlanta.

The Braves drafted Blazers pitcher and Corner High alum Colin Daniel in the 11th round of the 2025 MLB Draft on Monday with pick No. 337.

The right-handed pitcher will join fellow Blazer Logan Braunschweig, who was selected by the Braves in the ninth round of the draft with pick No. 227.

A part of UAB’s starting rotation, Daniel posted a 3.15 ERA and a 6-5 record on the mound as a junior. He struck out 80 batters and walked 15 across 91.1 innings pitched, allowing a .235 opponent batting average.

An all-American Athletic Conference selection after being named the league’s preseason pitcher of the year, he was named AAC Pitcher of the Week four times and threw a complete-game shutout against Rice to claim national honors from the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

He also claimed all-conference honors as a sophomore after posting a 3.13 ERA in 14 starts with 76 strikeouts and 18 walks.

A former star at Corner High School, he was a Class 5A all-state pick in 2022 after going 8-0-1 on the mound with a 1.63 ERA and 99 strikeouts as a senior.

He also batted .505 with 49 hits, 27 RBIs, 22 runs scored and 8 stolen bases, being named to AL.com’s Birmingham Terrific 20 as a junior and senior.

Walmart is offering a ton of new Rollbacks and Flash Deals this week on select patio furniture sets, including a major discount on the highly-rated Costway 4-Piece Outdoor Rattan Patio Furniture Set.

The Costway Patio Furniture Set usually sells for $439, but is now on sale for only $169 and includes free shipping. The outdoor conversation set comes with one love seat, two single chairs and a glass-top coffee table. It features a black rattan frame with white weather-resistant cushions.

RELATED: Brooks softest running shoe is now on sale for a limited time

A standout feature of the Costway Patio Furniture Set is the zippered cushion covers, offering easy removal and cleaning. This adds convenience for maintaining a fresh and inviting patio set, especially in outdoor environments. Meanwhile, the patio set features a combination of comfort and support provided by the “humanized seat design.” This includes soft cushions combined with slightly tilted backrests and armrests, enhancing the seating experience for extended periods of relaxation and conversation.

The Costway 4-Piece Patio Furniture Set is also a top-rated item with a 4.6 star rating overall on Walmart’s website.

One promising review reads, “I can’t begin to stress enough how much I enjoy this set, especially for the price! The only downside I’d say would be the build time. It took about 90 minutes total. They have not faded in all day direct sunlight for months. Durable too! Funky cushion smells went away after a week of being outside.”

Those interested in this deal can checkout the full listing on Walmart’s website here.