Alabama’s Jermaine Burton addresses controversial incident with Tennessee fan: ‘It was a mistake’

Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton ended the season on a high note as the Crimson Tide cruised through Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl on Saturday night 45-20.

Burton led the Crimson Tide with three catches for 87 yards and was one of five receivers to catch a touchdown pass from Bryce Young. After the game, he spoke to reporters about a controversy that arose earlier in the season following a loss to Tennessee at Neyland Stadium.

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The wide receiver was leaving the field and appeared to push a few fans on their way back to the locker room, including appearing to brutalize a female fan. He was criticized after that match but received no public form of discipline from coach Nick Saban during the season.

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Ja’ Corey Brooks, left, of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts with Jermaine Burton after scoring a touchdown against the Kansas State Wildcats on December 31, 2022 in New Orleans.
(Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

“This whole thing was a mistake,” Burton said of the Knoxville incident on Saturday, via The Tuscaloosa News. “I can’t stick to this forever.… But a mistake is a mistake. You get past it. I’m not going to let the situation frame me as a person or shape me as a person because I know who I am, and my team knows who I am.”

Alabama’s Jermaine Burton reacts after a touchdown against Kansas State during the Allstate Sugar Bowl on December 31, 2022 in New Orleans.
(Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

He added: “It can be hostile in a lot of situations. The (SEC) can do all they can, but it’s not safe for a lot of people.”

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Alabama will likely finish the season in the top 5 in the latest Associated Press poll. With the victory over Kansas State, the team finished 11-2 on the year.