The Tuscaloosa Police Department in Alabama detained offensive lineman Elijah Pritchett, who plays for the Alabama Crimson Tide football team, on Wednesday night, according to AL.com. The 19-year-old was accused of intentionally transmitting a sexually transmitted infection. Prichett was given a $500 bond and freed. Pritchett faces a maximum punishment of $500 or three months in jail if found guilty of the Class C misdemeanour allegation.
From Midland, Georgia, Pritchett participated in two games the previous season. The offensive lineman participated in all 13 games this season and supported the squad in the SEC Tournament earlier this month. Pritchett declared following the SEC championship game that he intended to use the transfer site, but on December 16 he decided against it. “It is not in my best interest to transfer. I sincerely regret for any trouble caused. I’m completely confined. “Roll Tide!” Pritchett told On3 in a statement.
The arrest happened less than two weeks before Alabama takes on Michigan in the College Football Playoff semifinals. The Crimson Tide have a chance to win its second national title in four seasons and seventh with head coach Nick Saban.
“Our team is very excited about having the opportunity to play the No. 1 team in the country in the University of Michigan,” Saban said earlier this month, per Sports Illustrated. “They’ve had a very, very successful season, Big Ten champs. I’d like to congratulate them on that. We’re going to look forward to the challenge that we have ahead in terms of what we have to do to prepare and be the best that we can be to play against the No. 1 team in the country.”
