University of Alabama athletics has "identified and taken appropriate action" against a fan seen heckling and shoving Georgia linebacker Raylen Wilson after Alabama's 20-17 loss to the Bulldogs Saturday, Oct. 10.
"Alabama has identified and taken appropriate action against the individual involved in videos circulating on social media following Saturday night’s football game," a UA statement released to the Tuscaloosa News reads. "We take matters of this nature seriously and will not tolerate this behavior."
The fan, holding a cup in his left hand, slapped Wilson's helmet twice before shoving it while shouting obscenities at the player.
"I don't know that you can predict to make good decisions and do things the right way," Georgia coach Kirby Smart said about the incident. "Raylen certainly did there. There's so much that goes into that and he thought it was a Georgia fan. Probably helped react the way he did initially. You know, disappointing behavior by any fan, and certainly nothing we condone. I'm sure Alabama doesn't condone it either."
As Georgia football walked off the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium, it was met with trash and other objects thrown by Alabama football fans.
"We are disappointed by the unacceptable behavior exhibited by some of the game’s attendees Saturday night and are in the process of gathering information," a University of Alabama spokesman said in a statement. "Alabama takes matters of fan conduct seriously and expects everyone at our events to demonstrate respect to the student-athletes, coaches, staff, officials and visitors. Such conduct will not be tolerated."
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter or Instagram @colingaytnews.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: University of Alabama takes 'action' against fan who shoved UGA player