Alabama Players’ Relationship with T-Town Menswear Store Could be Problematic

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.