Alabama Players’ Relationship with T-Town Menswear Store Could be Problematic
By Larry Brown July 22, 2011 - Posted in College Football

The relationship between Alabama football players and T-Town Menswear store in Tuscaloosa could prove to be an issue for the school, Clay Travis’ points out on his new website Outkick the Coverage. The Facebook page for the men’s clothing store boasts about several autograph signings with Bama players from the football team, some of whom were students at the time while others were not. The store champions itself as “Bama’s #1 clothing store,” and they have several framed jerseys and football pictures on the wall.

If any of this sounds familiar, it’s because it should; Ohio State was busted when it was discovered players were exchanging memorabilia for tattoos and drugs. There were also rumors the football team received discounts from a car dealership. What was the common thread for both stores? They had Ohio State gear all over, just like T-Town Menswear is full of Bama swag.

Going through pictures on the Facebook page, we spotted former players Javier Arenas and Terrence Cody who visited the store while they were playing and after they were no longer students. We also spotted pictures of Rolando McClain, Kareem Jackson, Greg McElroy, and Eryk Anders. Pictured in the image at the top of this post are former stars Mark Ingram and Julio Jones.

It’s completely normal for players to sign autographs in a store without asking for anything in return, right? And there’s nothing weird about the man who appears to own the store being on the sidelines of a Bama game, right?

Here’s Trent Richardson, a current running back on the team, signing autographs in the store during the season last year:

Postings like this one on T-Town’s Facebook page probably isn’t the sort of association they would want either. “GOOD MORNING!! Busy week at the store getting all the Bama players looking sharp for the start of the 2010 season….(They Know Where To Shop) Will post pictures later! HAPPY FRIDAY AND ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!”

When I think of college football players having a good time, I think of them hanging out at an upscale men’s clothing store at the mall for fun. That’s totally normal, right? And signing things for a store that displays them prominently? Nothing suspicious about that either. Carry on Bama, carry on.

Oh, and their compliance director might want to take a look at the situation there.

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62 Comments
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  • joe blow

    “WE HAVE BEEN DRESSING THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA FOOTBALL PLAYERS AND COACHES SINCE 1995.” http://www.thecrimsonpages.com/directory/?companyID=9

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GTVXRBBEIJNPUUD6CPP5EHRH6Y G-rey

    First of all, if that’s an Alabama game with the store owner on the sidelines, I have no idea what happened to all the people!   It’s like they don’t like Alabama anymore!  
    Must not be a football game, that’s all.  For the record though, I’ve been on college football sidelines, and I’ve shaken hands and taken pictures with players.  I don’t get it.  It’s clearly not a game, and even if it was, so what? 
     
    Remember when Alabama compliance reported this?   Probably not.  Which means you also don’t remember the NCAA’s response 2 days later.   In 2009.   Hell I’m an Ohio fan and even I remember. 
     
    Also, you mentioned Ohio State.  Is this store selling jerseys and Championship Rings of current football players?   That would be a huge scoop.  Massive, and terrible for Alabama.   I just don’t see them, that’s all.  I WANT to believe, but I also get the feeling like you can find something better on Alabama?   Again, 2009, find the compliance response, I know this is a blog not a reporting site but seriously though. 
     
    And when you think of college players having a good time, do you think of them helping to rebuild Tuscaloosa and volunteer?   No, just hanging out at stores giving them millions for their championship rings, right?  Right.   Brilliant.  Go Cats!

  • http://twitter.com/GetReal54 JLM3

    leave your email g-rey I will send you a picture of the man on the sideline during a game with the stands full if you’d like.  this guy was way too cocky, had pics everyone on the facebook page, and about 900 journalists and auburn fans saved them all, too bad he deleted them all from his facebook a day late.. well, too bad for you anyway

  • http://profiles.google.com/stucarius Jeff Stuckey

    Get a clue and do your research. It’s a Big and Tall store. As a former player I can tell you that there are not many stores that can get you in dress cloths when you are in playing condition. I bet this is the only place in town the players can get the cloths they have to wear for pre-game and road trips.

    Nothing weird here. There are big and tall mens stores in every town who dress the players for every team in the country.

  • Anonymous

    Hey Larry,

    Why don’t you get some hard evidence before throwing out something like this? Even if you have a picture with him on the sidelines “during a game” it doesn’t imply anything and why wouldn’t you have put that picture in the report in the first place? You obviously have never been to a game in T-town. If so, you would know that the picture on your report above clearly shows them on the fan side of the fence, not on the sideline!

    Roll Tide!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GY6BVRZZQQTECG2RTH6KHDYQAM Lawrence

    Good try Mr. Brown!

    Coach Saban runs a compliant program.

    You have just cost a small merchant a lot of Big and Tall paying customers!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Bruce-Gennari/1651723228 Bruce Gennari

    Alabama’s compliance department sent a cease-and-desist letter to the
    owner of a Tuscaloosa men’s clothing store in December, asking it not
    to use the likenesses of football players in any advertising or
    commercials.
    SEC blog

    ESPN.com’s Chris Low and Edward Aschoff write about all things SEC football in the conference blog.

    • Blog network: College Football Nation

    Alabama looked into the relationship between T-Town, the store, and players such as star running back Trent Richardson and concluded that the players did not receive benefits such as merchandise or discounts, a source said.
    Student-athletes can’t be featured in any commercial advertising. The school also looked into autographs seen at the shop.

    The Alabama compliance office is monitoring the situation. The NCAA
    and SEC have not been engaged, the source said, because there is not
    believed to be an eligibility issue.

  • Anonymous

    you’ll also notice, unless your the dork writing this trying to start something that isn’t there…the ON THE SIDELINES PHOTO in the empty stadium (Bama sells out EVERY game and has for many years with a waiting list for tickets) the people are CLEARLY OUTSIDE THE FENCE!  you can’t get to the field because of the fence and there’s no one on the field in the empty stadium if they WERE on the field, which they clearly are NOT.  What a joke of an article all the way around!  Roll Tide!

  • Anonymous

    So I am a Gator fan that goes to all games (home and away) I have been in this store. Many students (not just atheletes) buy clothes there as the store offers a standing student discount for all “Alabama Students”. They have done so since the store opened. Students get discounts at Dreamland too….And G-rey is correct, U of A self reported this to the SEC and NCAA in 2009. The NCAA found there to be no violations. Doesn’t mean there are none now but with U of A’s compliance dept. hounding any all known establishments in the area, it would be an accomplishment for this guy to fly under their radar with any unsavory activity related to the university.

  • Anonymous

    I guess the kids need to go to their home towns and shop from now on.  They aren’t even allowed in a Tuscaloosa clothing store without mess coming up.  It will be investigated, I am sure, and they will see that the Bama players didn’t SELL any items and as far as discounts go, everyone gets discounts in that store including me.

  • Anonymous

    I guess the kids need to go to their home towns and shop from now on or shop on line instead.  It will be investigated, I am sure, and they will find that the players didn’t sell anything to the store. 

  • Anonymous

    I agree totally.  I too have been in the store, and there isn’t anything going on that isn’t above board.  Shoot, even Coach Saban shops.

  • Anonymous

    “It’s completely normal for  players to sign autographs in a store without asking for anything in return, right?”  It is in Tuscaloosa.  They do it all the time.  This is the SOUTH buddy where people are polite and have manners.

  • http://www.facebook.com/cdforshee Chris D. Forshee

    I wouldn’t say it’s a joke of an article, it voices legitimate concerns. Our Tide is rolling (and will be for years to come) and anything that could hurt our chances at success (i.e., more national titles) should be addressed. As for the empty stadium, G-Rey, I worked at a MLB stadium for 4 years. That is exactly what a stadium looks like on game day before the gates are opened and the fans come pouring in…

  • Anonymous
  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Tallulah-Cusati/100000513894224 Tallulah Cusati

    I don’t think we will be seeing Larry Brown on the sideline of any ‘Alabama’ game, any time soon. He shouldn’t be allowed to purchace a ticket to see a game, either. We don’t need people like him at any Alabama game.     Roll Tide!

  • Anonymous

    JLM3-You don’t listen well do you?  This was reported in 2009 to the NCAA and they dismissed it.  This store you speak of gives discounts to ALL Alabama Students.  You just show your student ID and get the discount.  Nothing here.

  • http://twitter.com/clharper66 Chris Harper

    Jealous jerk!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Kwende-Idrissa-Madu/1093618153 Kwende Idrissa Madu

    Why not just lock the players up after classes and practice ??? The NCAA does not allow its indentured servants anything except the privilege of making administrators rich. The rank hypocrisy of college football makes me  ill.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_2JBTHU4HUCXTUQSARWMUTMRVUE aumoose

    LOL! Thank You Larry. I just love watching the Bama Mullets squirm and get all up in arms defensive.

  • Anonymous

    If this were a story, we would be but this is a non starter buddy.  Just another attempt at Auburn fans to get Bama players into trouble when there is no story.  This is the same store that the NCAA said had not violated any rules back in 2009 but there are always idiots like yourself that try to have fun at another’s expense.

  • Anonymous

    Clay Travis is a w a n k e r and a s h ! t starter!

  • Anonymous

    Clay Travis is just trying to make a name for himself; he succeeded…w*e*i*n*e*r

  • Anonymous

    Usual bammer stuff:  They get caught; they get reported; they get investigated (it is still going on);  they get the Death Penalty!  Good for ‘bama.  Keep doing the same old crooked cheating.  Stay on probation, at least.  War Damn Eagle!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_6O3ETIKPYLE3O6WKGR3YO7EKXQ DanielB

    But, giving you 10% and the players 95% off is totally different. I saw MI and JJ driving in T town in 2010 beginnning of the season in cars their families could not definitely afford. 50-75K H2 and caddies.

  • Anonymous

    This 2009 stuff you guys are spouting is interesting considering that Joe Schad reported today that the UA athletic department told him TODAY that neither the NCAA nor the SEC had been notified.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_6O3ETIKPYLE3O6WKGR3YO7EKXQ DanielB

    I do not remember this every being reported to the NCAA the only thing in 2009 I know of as being reported was the 10-15 free textbooks the football players were given to sell to make extra money. Hell I thought a Football team on probation could not play in a bowl game let alone a NC game. Bama is still on 3yr probation until june 2012 and was put on FOOTBALL PROBATION in June 2009 before they took the field and won their so called 13th NC. Hell back in 1986 bama themselves only claimed 5 NC in the life but win in 1992 and 2009 and it jumps to 13. One year they were beat by the #1 team and was 9-3 and ranked 10th but BAMA still claims a NC that year with predated polls. Claimed in like 1940 will a poll that come out and started using in 1947 (not the exact years but you get the point)

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_6O3ETIKPYLE3O6WKGR3YO7EKXQ DanielB

    1925 National Championship- Alabama claims they share this one with Dartmouth. Who awarded the NC? Houlgate and Helms. Houlgate started his system in 1927. So Bama won their 1925 NC using a formula that didn’t exist until 1927? Helms Athletic Foundation started in 1941. Another incredible retroactive NC.
    The Associated Press Poll has been active since 1936. The AP took their final poll prior to bowl games from 1936 – 1964 and in 1966 and 1967. They took their final poll after the bowl games in 1965 and from 1968 – Current.
    1926 National Championship- Alabama claims they share this one with 3 other teams with equal or better records! Once again it is the Helms Athletic Foundation in 1941 that awards it!
    1930 National Championship- The Davis poll says that Bama tied Notre Dame for NC this year. This was the only one to award it to Bama. Notre Dame was named NC in 6 polls! Parke Davis is another retroactive system! He (an individual, not an organization) did his in 1933!
    1934 National Championship- Alabama says they share this with two other teams. The awarders are Dunkel, Williamson, and Football Thesaurus. Dunkel was an individual who came up with his own system. Williamson was a geologist who came up with his own system. Football Thesaurus first appeared in 1946!
    1941 National Championship- This is a complete joke. The AP ranked Alabama 20th in the nation with 14 teams with better records in the top 20. Once again it is the Football Thesaurus that retroactively awards it. Alabama finished 3rd in the SEC that year. Mississippi State won the SEC title..yet Bama claims a National title!
    1961 National Championship- Finally a legitimate NC. .
    1964 National Championship- While the AP did award the NC to Bama (10-1-0), Arkansas had the better record, 11-0. Alabama played Texas in their bowl and LOST. The AP final poll was before the bowl.
    1965 National Championship- The AP gave this to Bama. That year there were three teams with better records than Bama. Bama 9-1-1, Michigan St 10-1-0, Arkansas 10-1-0, Nebraska 10-1-0.
    1973 National Championship- AP puts Bama 4th after their bowl game loss. Bama claims a NC from the UPI poll that was taken before they met Notre Dame in the bowl game and lost. There were 3 teams with better records than Bama that year. The embarrassment of naming Alabama number one caused the UPI to name champions after bowl games. Yet Bammer has no shame in claiming it of course.
    1978 National Championship- AP gives this to Alabama(11-1-0) even though USC (12-1-0) had the better record Guess who Alabama lost to that year? USC!!!!!!!!!. UPI gave the NC to USC.
    1979 National Championship- Their second legitimate NC. Their first Unanimous NC.
    1992 National Championship- Their third legitimate NC. Their second Unanimous NC.
    2009 National Championship – Their 4th legitimate NC. Their third Unanimous NC

  • Anonymous

    Do you know how difficult it is for a football player to bring a car on campus at Tuscaloosa?  We have the toughest compliance on automobiles in all 120 teams.  You have to register it with the compliance dept., complete the forms, provide proof of how the car was or is being paid for, receipts of what you paid and who paid it.  Once it all checks out, then AND ONLY THEN can they bring the car on campus to drive when you are a student-athlete.  Both Mark Ingram and Julio Jones’ Moms had college funds set up for their kids, just like I did mine.  I had to use the college fund for my daughter’s education BUT Mark and Julio got new cars with their college fund money since their Moms didn’t have to pay for their education.  You REALLY should check out facts before you post.  In 2009, the NCAA did an investigation on the automobiles and saw the set up, how the cars were paid for etc so they don’t worry about Bama.

  • Butch Roberts

    Just show me the carbon of the checks or a picture of the cash, then this will mean something.  Untill then; this is all crap looking for something to stick too.

  • Anonymous

    YOU WISH!  LOL

  • Anonymous

    Then he’s LYING which would be nothing new.

  • Anonymous

    So this isn’t at a game? I don’t see any fence between him and the field and I see a LOT of people in the stands!

    http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/856/46033419453898385266785.jpg/

  • Anonymous

    You shouldn’t worry about what Bama claims and this was all handled over two years ago.

  • Anonymous

    I am a HUGE Bama fan and have been for over 40 years so you aren’t telling Bama fans anything they don’t know but you fabricating and telling out and out lies on here should be stopped.  

  • Anonymous

    Whatever, dude. A bunch of 20-something African Americans hanging with a middle-aged Middle Eastern dude is just an everyday occurrence, right? That’s what tOSU thought until Tressell started getting emails.

  • Anonymous

    You need to be worrying about Auburn and losing that Crystal Ball when the NCAA hammers you guys.

  • Anonymous

    You need to be worried about Auburn and that Crystal Ball you guys are going to lose when the NCAA hammers you and not what Bama fans do.

  • Anonymous

    In the immortal words of Gary Wright, “Dream on!”

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=516016833 John Randall Johnson

    The Truth Hurts!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=516016833 John Randall Johnson

    Tell it like it is Mr. Odom!

  • Anonymous

    For what?  Meritless allegations that has been turned every way possible by many people with nothing being found??   Maybe you guys need to be worrying about losing your 2009 Crystal Ball.  Mmmmm??? 

  • Anonymous

    Ours isn’t in jeopardy.  Yours is and the NCAA will NOT close the investigation until they take it from you.

  • Anonymous

    Buddy:  Why do you think the NCAA hasn’t closed the investigation.  They don’t say the evidence they have until it is all over but I hear there are tapes of McGregor talking about the payment for Cam Newton and I am pretty sure that is why they haven’t closed it.  Mark my words.  You will be stripped of the 2010 title because you can’t play and win without cheating.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZOBLLWWBWVD42JOO27SJQG2MKU Stephen

    We already know bama dismissed this, they are such compliance superstars there that they were so far out in front of it they shut it all down before anyone even got a free shoelace. Yeah right bama let someone who was not in the “roe tahd” commercial take a look at it. We know how you operate and we know who you are.

    1. Currently on probation and under repeat violator status.
    2. Have been on probation for 13 of the last 17 football seasons.
    3. Has the largest number of different sports on probation than any school in the country. I think your midget rowing team was found clean.
    4. Was once told by the NCAA president that you were staring down the barrel of a gun at the death penalty when a paper trail WAS established between your booster and a recruit for 200k, no unnamed sources in that one, you were caught.

    If the NCAA is supposed to make us believe that bama is capable of policing themselves that is the biggest joke I have ever hear. They would find everything if they shook that program down

  • Pamela Trammell

    Really? And just WHY wouldn’t you simply post the photo that would prove your point? I smell a poopy lie…

  • Pamela Trammell

    Gee Mr. Brown…u mad?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Steve-Young/100001857291443 Steve Young

    I have pictures and the ncaa has pictures of all of the cars and their name on their tags , the sides of their cars(tag numbers) and were they live,  For you see I am a PI and I work for the NCAA, just waiting for the right time.

  • Pamela Trammell

    What I sense here is a whole lotta ITAT Tin Foil hattage….

  • Wade Williams

    Dear Alabama fans:

    This may be tough for you to understand, but slow down and think about it.  Why do you need to send a cease and desist letter if nothing wrong is happening?

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