Alabama News

Long-held personal and political animosity between a Birmingham-area mayor and his most visible critic will not be settled at a local restaurant lunch table after all.

Plans for a live-streamed lunch summit between Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton and activist Chuck Winborn are off just days after the meeting was proposed.

Newton Monday evening surprised many when he invited Winborn to lunch during a council meeting. It would be the first time the longtime rivals ever sat down at a table rather than sparring in the council chamber.

However, Winborn now says he will not meet with Newton.

“I’ve had no less than 15 people contact me, some I didn’t even know, who told me not to do it,” Winborn told AL.com. “There is nothing he can say to change my mind and I’m sure I’m not going to change his.”

Winborn had initially agreed to lunch with Newton’s condition that it be live streamed on social media and Winborn’s stipulation that a third-party witness also be present.

But the deal quickly eroded. Winborn remains adamant on illustrating Newton’s dramatic argument with a councilman in late 2022.

Winborn this week posted unaired video footage of an exchange between Newton and Councilman Tommy Bryant where the mayor used graphic sexual language to insult Bryant’s wife.

That video exchange occurred just before another showdown between the two men outside city hall that ended with Bryant slugging the mayor.

Bryant was later cleared of the assault charge.

On the other side, Newton told AL.com that his lunch invitation was a sincere offer, even if he was skeptical that it would occur.

“I extended the invitation to Mr. Winborn in good faith, with the hope of modeling something different for the city of Tarrant, that even in sharp disagreement, civility and honest conversation are still possible,” he said. “This was never about political points, no matter what some may claim. It was about showing that real leadership means reaching across the aisle, even when you know the hand may not be taken.”

The town of 6,000 is bitterly divided politically. The mayor and council spar regularly and citizens often voice their disapproval during council meetings.

The mayor has called Winborn a racist, while Winborn has described the mayor as disrespectful and vindictive.

Attorney Scott Morro, who represents Winborn and several other critics of the mayor, noted that Winborn is still a party in a lawsuit that seeks to impeach Newton, so he should not meet with him.

“Chuck Winborn, in his zeal to do what is best for the city of Tarrant, had a lapse in judgment in agreeing to meet with Mayor Newton for lunch,” Morro told AL.com. “Nothing good can come out of meeting with an antagonistic narcissist who has a pattern and practice of fabrication. As such, as his attorney, I have instructed him not to do so.”

The citizen-led lawsuit could be moot in about a month following city elections Aug. 26.

Morro also represents Winborn and several current and former employees who have sued Newton and the city on various personnel matters.

Winborn was arrested in April after posting police footage on his social media page. Winborn called the arrest an attempt to silence his activism, and the charges were quickly dropped.

Newton is seeking reelection. Winborn is supporting his opponent, Councilwoman Tracie Threadford in her challenge to the first-term incumbent.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a 63-year-old woman who finds herself frequently told by strangers that she resembles a famous actress of similar age.

I don’t find this actress particularly attractive, and therefore don’t know what to say when someone makes the comparison. I don’t know whether to take it as a compliment or merely an observation.

“Thank you” seems to imply I’m flattered (which I’m not), but I don’t want to express offense when none was likely intended. Is there another option for reply?

GENTLE READER: “Hmmm.” Uttered flatly with no question mark or inflection other than one that indicates, “That is something that you just said.”

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at missmanners.com, by email to [email protected], or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Dear Eric: I have two sons in their early 30s. Recently, my older son became engaged to a wonderful woman the same age, who I love as a daughter.

While our relationships are good, I have found that my desire for close family bonds has gotten stronger as I get older, especially in the past several years when I’ve been living several hours’ travel away from my blood family. I really want to keep an active interchange going with all three. At the same time, I don’t want to seem like Mama hanging over them.

How do I figure out the right frequency for casual texts, shares, etc.? What else can I do to stay part of their lives? I want to be a warm and welcome presence, not a drag.

– Boundary-Loving Mom

Dear Mom: This is such a lovely concern and because it’s rooted in love (and good boundaries), I suspect you have less to fear than you might think. What’s most important to remember is that you are an equal part of the mother-son relationship and you can ask for what you need.

Yes, your sons are continuing to expand and establish their lives, but you’re still a part of those lives. And, likely, a very welcome one at that. Good relationships thrive on clear, open communication. Sometimes that means calling, texting or visiting when you want to and letting them adjust the cadence as need be. Other times, that means having a conversation about what level of contact feels good for everyone involved. Maybe you’ll find that they aren’t big on texts but welcome phone calls, or vice versa.

You’re not a burden. And it will be easier for your sons to keep showing you their love if you let them know how life is changing for you, just as they’re letting you know how life is changing for them. Keep talking to them, keep listening to what they’re asking for and keep sharing what you need to feel loved and supported, as well.

Read more Asking Eric and other advice columns.

Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at [email protected] or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.

Dear Eric: Sarah and I have been friends for 20 years. In that time, our families have become close, even going on holiday together several times.

Initially, I was also a stay-at-home mom, like she is, but now I hold a job where I keep very long hours and am responsible for the welfare of more than a hundred very vulnerable people.

I have tried to keep in touch, even as my life has become busier, and it tends to fall to me to organize get-togethers.

In the last year, I have experienced the loss of a parent. Now I am supporting my remaining parent, who is in rapidly declining health, as well as paying bills and arranging home care. This requires frequent visits several hundred miles away. My husband has also had significant health concerns and has required a great deal of support. Sarah is aware of all of this.

Two months ago, I received a text from Sarah berating me for my lack of attention. She said that if we could make time for each other when the kids were small and life was busier, then she didn’t understand why I wasn’t making time for her now. Eric, my life has never been so busy!

I replied as kindly as I could, and offered several suggestions for us to catch up, including inviting her to my home for dinner. I have had no response since.

My instinct is telling me that this isn’t friendship, and that I should quietly walk away and focus on the many other worries and responsibilities that I have. Sarah is very volatile – she once cut me off for more than a year due to an imaginary slight. However, I really do care about Sarah, and I am worried that she is genuinely hurting.

Am I in the wrong here? Should I try again to reach out? Or do I accept that more than 20 years of friendship are now over?

– Overwhelmed

Dear Overwhelmed: Trust your instincts. Sarah may, indeed, be hurting, but it isn’t because of anything you’ve done. Moreover, by taking that hurt out on you, she’s created chaos when what you need is care. She’s not being a good friend right now and I’m sorry for that because you need a friend. What you’re going through is incredibly tough and taxing. These periods in our lives require the empathy and active support of those who love us.

Though it’s unfair, take her recent silence as a gift. At some point, when you have more bandwidth, you may want to talk with her about how her behavior affected you. And I hope she’s able to make amends. But right now, focus your energy on people who can show up for you and help you carry your load.

Read more Asking Eric and other advice columns.

Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at [email protected] or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Every day until Aug. 29, Creg Stephenson is counting down significant numbers in Alabama football history, both in the lead-up to the 2025 football season and in commemoration of the Crimson Tide’s first national championship 100 years ago. The number could be attached to a year, a uniform number or even a football-specific statistic. We hope you enjoy.

A man legendary for his toughness put that character trait on display in an unforgettable way in 1935.

Paul “Bear” Bryant — then a senior end at Alabama — played in a game vs. Tennessee a week after suffering a broken fibula in his left leg. He’d suffered the injury in a 20-7 loss to Mississippi State in Tuscaloosa, returning to the game in the fourth quarter after having the leg “tightly bandaged,” according to an Associated Press report at the time.

Alabama did not play Auburn from 1908-1947, so the Tennessee game was invariably the biggest on the Crimson Tide’s schedule. Alabama had gone undefeated and won the Rose Bowl in 1934, and had beaten Robert Neyland’s Volunteers on the way to SEC championships in each of the previous two seasons.

The night before the 1935 Alabama-Tennessee game in Birmingham, the team doctor visited the Crimson Tide’s hotel and cut Bryant’s cast off. He told Bryant that he could dress for the game if he felt up to it, Bryant wrote in Bear, his 1975 autobiography.

“I said, ‘Is there any chance of a bone sticking out anywhere?’” Bryant wrote. “He said no.”

Bryant also related a pre-game pep talk given the following day by assistant coach Hank Crisp, who had recruited Bryant to Alabama from his native Arkansas. Crisp made reference to Bryant by his uniform number, which often changed on a game-by-game basis under then-head coach Frank Thomas.

“I’ll tell you gentlemen one thing,” Bryant quoted Riley as saying. “I don’t know about the rest of you, you or you or you, I don’t know what you’re going to do. But I know one damn thing. Old 34 will be after ’em, he’ll be after their asses.”

“So he’s up there talking about old 34, and I look down, and I’m 34!” Bryant remembered. “I had no idea of playing. So we go out there, and cold chills are running up my back. He done bragged on old 34.

“… They lined up for the kickoff, and Coach Thomas turned to me and said, ‘Bryant, can you play?’ Well shoot, what could I say? I just ran on out there.”

Alabama end Ben McLeod, who had been ticketed to start in Bryant’s place, told author Kirk McNair in 2005 that Bryant “didn’t play long, maybe a quarter, but he played well. … That Bryant was about as tough as they come.”

Alabama won the game 25-0, with Bryant — described as “the injured Bear” by the Birmingham News’ Zipp Newman in the following day’s paper — catching at least four passes. One went for 21 yards, another for a total of 22 yards after a lateral to Riley Smith, another for 14 yards and the last for 30 yards.

The story made headlines around the Southeast, with Atlanta Constitution sports editor Ralph McGill writing that Bryant “deserves a medal for courage.” Heading into Alabama’s late October game vs. Georgia in Athens, McGill traveled to Tuscaloosa to visit with Bryant in person.

“When the Alabama team trots on Sanford Field at Athens next Saturday, pick out Paul (Bear) Bryant’s number and locate him,” McGill wrote. “When your eyes are on it, lift your hat. You will be looking at a man.”

McGill added that he’d personally verified Bryant’s injury.

“It was no press agent’s dream, no doctor’s error,” McGill wrote. “I saw the X-rays. And I saw Bear Bryant’s leg still almost twice its size Tuesday. … As far as this season is concerned, Paul Bryant is in first place in the courage league. … When you have a top for this story let me know.”

Despite the win over Tennessee, Alabama was not quite as strong a team as the 1934 squad that featured All-Americans Don Hutson and Dixie Howell. In addition to the loss to Mississippi State, the Crimson Tide played Howard (now Samford) to a 7-7 tie in its season opener and lost 14-6 at Vanderbilt to end the season at 6-2-1 and fail in its attempt to repeat as SEC champion.

The Bryant broken leg story has become part of his legend, as much as wrestling the animal that gave him his nickname as a youth and all the games and championships he won as a coach. In a 1981 interview with Al Browning of the Tuscaloosa News, however, Bryant allowed that maybe his condition had been a little bit embellished.

“The injury was not that serious,” Bryant told Browning. “It was just a little crack in a small bone in my leg. … Every time weight came down on it, I knew (the injury) was there. And if I stubbed my toe or anyone hit it, why it hurt.”

More likely, Bryant was showing humility in his later years and downplaying the idea of bragging on himself. Either way, it’s a well-established fact that Bryant not only played — but was a difference-maker — against Tennessee in 1935 despite a broken leg.

And that’s a story worth remembering.

Coming Sunday: Our countdown to kickoff continues with No. 34, when Alabama ushered in the Saban era with a statement win in Atlanta.

In his rookie season for the Detroit Lions, Jahmyr Gibbs produced 1,261 yards on 234 combined rushing attempts and receptions in 2023. In his second season, the former Alabama running back produced 1,929 yards on 302 touches.

Can the Lions get even more out of Gibbs in his third season?

“Whatever they want me to do, I mean, I’m willing to do it,” Gibbs said at Detroit’s training camp. “I just want to win a Super Bowl ultimately. So they told me I’d line up at safety some this year, so I’ll be doing that — a little nickel.”

Gibbs was just joking with reporters, of course. The Lions aren’t about to turn the two-time Pro Bowl ball-carrier into a two-way player.

But they still could expand Gibbs’ game.

“I’m being split out, like, way more than I was the past two years,” Gibbs said. “That’s good. That’s going to be fun. I’ve been waiting on that.”

Gibbs already was among the six running backs with at least 100 receptions across the previous two seasons. He and the Atlanta Falcons’ Bijan Robinson are the only ball-carriers in that group who also had at least 1,900 rushing yards in 2023 and 2024.

Making plans for Gibbs in the 2025 season is a new offensive coordinator. The Chicago Bears hired Ben Johnson as their head coach this offseason. The Lions filled the vacancy with John Morton, the Denver Broncos’ passing-game coordinator for the past two seasons.

While Morton is new to Gibbs, he is not new to Detroit. Morton worked with Johnson on the Lions’ coaching staff in 2022.

“They was here at the same time a couple years ago, so, I mean, it’s not a lot that’s changed,” Gibbs said of Detroit’s playbook. “But like I said, little tweaks here and there, but it’s good.”

Johnson took with him Antwaan Randle El, the Lions’ wide-receivers coach, to handle that job and work as assistant head coach with the Bears. Detroit shifted its assistant head coach, Scottie Montgomery, from running-backs coach to wide-receivers coach, then hired Texas running-backs coach Tashard Choice for that spot on Dan Campbell’s staff.

Choice is not new to Gibbs, having coached him in 2020 and 2021 at Georgia Tech.

“Nothing much has changed at all, you know,” Gibbs said. “It’s funny because I was 17 back then and now I’m 23, but nothing’s changed. I still talked to him over the years, even when I was at Bama and my first two years here. So, yeah, it was picked up where we left off.”

At 15-2, Detroit had the best regular-season record in the NFC last season. But a season after reaching the NFC Championship Game, the Lions lost to the Washington Commanders 45-31 in their playoff opener.

“We know what we want to do,” Gibbs said about the 2025 season. “Not too much talking needs to be said about it, so we’re just going to work to try to get that.”

Detroit plays in the NFL’s first preseason game when the Lions square off against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night in Canton, Ohio, in the annual Hall of Fame Game.

After four preseason games, Detroit will open its regular-season schedule on Sept. 7 against the Green Bay Packers.

Whenever Gibbs makes his first appearance, he’ll be wearing a new number after being in No. 26 for two seasons. Gibbs switched to No. 0 for 2025.

That number had belonged to Terrion Arnold in 2024. But for his second season, the cornerback has switched to No. 6 in memory of former Alabama teammate Khyree Jackson. Jackson died in a traffic accident on July 6, 2024.

“I just didn’t like 26,” Gibbs said. “When I got drafted, that was the lowest number available.”

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I live in a gated community. There is a gate box where people can punch in the code to open the gate and let them in.

In both of our vehicles, we have a remote that we press to open the gate. There have been numerous occasions when I’ve been behind someone attempting to enter the code, and I have used the remote to open the gate for them.

Is it impolite to give a brief honk on my car horn to let the person know the gate is opening, or should I just wait until they notice it’s opening, thinking they’ve done it?

GENTLE READER: But then how will they learn?

Granted, the second option is more entertaining, what with its potential to convince these drivers that they are magical. But it is more damaging to their learning curve — and your wait time — in the long run.

Miss Manners suggests instead that you give that brief honk, followed by a little wave and point that says, “We have the remote. And you do not.”

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at missmanners.com, by email to [email protected], or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When we have a large family dinner, between 10 and 21 people, there is one child whose parents allow her to be on her tablet, with volume on high. She comes into the house, whizzes by everyone present and goes directly to the table to set up her tablet.

I disapprove of this, and feel that the host or hostess needs to express to the parents that devices are not allowed at the dining table. There are other children her age present, but their parents do not allow them to have their tablets.

My belief is the hostess can set such rules, but there are others who feel you cannot tell another parent how to parent their child. I feel that it’s “my house, my rules.”

So, Miss Manners, can we tell parents what the rule is at our house, and allow the other guests a quieter dinner?

GENTLE READER: Why go through the parents? Miss Manners suggests you go straight to the source, quietly telling the child that you are sorry, but you do not allow electronics at the dinner table. At which point the child will turn to her parents — and you will find something urgent to do in the kitchen so as to avoid eye contact with them.

If the plan is unsuccessful, you can always drop a pair of headphones casually at her place setting. So as to at least ensure quiet for the others.

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at missmanners.com, by email to [email protected], or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Dear Annie: I’m a 36-year-old male. I moved away from home a year ago to be with my now ex-girlfriend. Things didn’t work out in the relationship, but I have a home here and love this small town. I took a job and work 76-plus hours weekly.

Now I have an opportunity to take a break and get away, so I decided to see my family back home.

But my father created a mess. He has a bunch of plans, as in driving a long way and only staying one night. I put a stop to that, explaining that I won’t have a ton of time on this trip. When I said that, he got mad and hung up on me. Now he is mad and telling my brother that I don’t have time for him, so he is done.

I’m thinking about canceling my trip altogether because this was a chance to get away from stress, but instead, it is adding more. — Lone Wolf

Dear Lone Wolf: Your dad no doubt has the best of intentions, but he is clueless about how you want to relax with family after working your tail off for the past year. From his perspective, he is so excited to see you that he wanted to plan a visit that’s jampacked with fun activities and excursions for you to enjoy together as father and son.

The key to less stress here is communication and managing expectations. Your time at home is finite, and there are certainly better ways to spend it than driving all over the place for just one activity or outing. Call your dad and plan out the timeline for your visit. Allow him to keep one or two of his bigger plans on the agenda and suggest spending the rest of the time closer to home. What matters most is getting to reconnect and be with one another, wherever that may be.

Read more Dear Annie and other advice columns.

“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to [email protected].

Dear Annie: I’ve been with my girlfriend for seven years and lived with her for four. She wants to get married and have kids. For the past three years, I’ve promised to propose every six months, but when the time comes, I back out. I even went ring shopping but couldn’t pull the trigger.

Although I want to get married and have kids one day, just the discussions of such a commitment give me serious anxiety to the point where I cannot breathe. I want us to travel the world before tying the knot, but she’s too attached to her job. My family says I am too young to get married at 27 and that if I need counseling now, before even proposing, things will only get worse when we have a mortgage and kids. My therapist says contemplating marriage should be exciting and happy, but all I feel is trapped. I love her, and living with her is fun, but marrying her feels like doom. She says I am stringing her along without a timeline as she is pushing 30, but I’m honest that I cannot guarantee if and when I’ll be ready. Do I propose with a five-year engagement? — To Wed or Not To Wed

Dear To Wed: If the idea alone of marrying this woman is leaving you short of breath and like you’re approaching “doom,” absolutely do not propose or continue promising her any kind of timeline you have no intention of keeping. It’s clear you two are on completely different pages — in different books, even — and for either of you to change your mind just for the sake of the other would be unfair and likely disastrous.

Your relationship has reached an impasse. I’d recommend couples therapy, in addition to continuing your individual counseling, to confront your commitment issues and see if there’s hope for building a future you’re both excited about. What you have to sort out is how much of this is your overall fear of commitment versus your feelings for your girlfriend.

Do you think of all marriages as traps? Or is it just marriage to this woman that would leave you feeling trapped? With good therapy, you can sort this out.

Read more Dear Annie and other advice columns.

“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to [email protected].