Alabama coach Nick Saban was none too pleased with freshman LaMichael Fanning’s body slam tackle of Missouri running back Russell Hansbrough Saturday.
In what more closely resembled a suplex wrestling move, Fanning launched Hansbrough to the ground in a dangerous move that fortunately did not result in serious injury. Fanning, who is 6-7 and 298 pounds, received a personal foul penalty, but his discipline didn’t stop there.
According to the Montgomery Advertiser, Saban called Missouri coach Gary Pinkel to apologize. Additionally, Saban made Fanning write letters of apology to Hansbrough and Pinkel. The Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune reported that Pinkel said he received the apology from Saban and the email from Fanning.
Saban said that Fanning would face internal discipline as well.
“I think this is a young player who’s excited about getting into the game, makes very, very poor judgment on making that play,†Saban told the Advertiser. “It’s something that we don’t condone here. It’s not how we want our players to play.