Post by TheShadow on Jul 12, 2008 8:29:55 GMT -5
www.tuscaloosanews.com
By Cecil Hurt Sports Editor
TUSCALOOSA | Ken Stabler will take a leave of absence from the broadcast booth in the wake of his arrest last month on drunken-driving charges.
The former All-America quarterback at the University of Alabama, who has been a member of the UA football radio broadcast team for the past 10 years, requested the leave, according to a news release from the Crimson Tide Sports Network.
'It is with much regret that I will not be part of Crimson Tide football broadcasts this coming year,' Stabler said in the release, 'but there are matters in my personal life that demand my full attention at this time.'
Stabler was taken into custody about 1 a.m. June 8. He was arrested by police in Robertsdale and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. Police said the native of nearby Foley was pulled over for a traffic violation on Alabama Highway 59 and charged with DUI. He posted $1,000 bond and was released from jail.
Stabler was also arrested on DUI charges in 1995 and 2001.
'We regret that Kenny will not be part of our broadcast team during the upcoming season, but accept and understand his decision,' said Jim Carabin, general manager of Crimson Tide Sports Marketing and producer of the Crimson Tide Sports Network, in a press release. 'We are entirely supportive of Kenny and his family and feel that this is the right thing for them at this time.'
Tom Roberts, a longtime member of the UA football radio broadcast crew, will handle color commentary in Stabler's absence.
'I will deeply miss being part of the Crimson Tide Sports Network team and the wonderful interaction that I always enjoy with the many Tide fans throughout the season,' Stabler said in the release.
Stabler earned first-team All-America honors at Alabama in 1967 and was chosen along with Joe Namath as quarterback on the Crimson Tide's All- Century Team. He led the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League to a victory in Super Bowl XI after the 1976 season.
Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.