Dabo Swinney has gone from Alabama’s favorite son to a fierce rival thanks to his Tigers getting the best of the Crimson Tide in two of the last three national title games, but even this may be a little too much.
During an interview with SiriusXM radio, which actually aired in February but was recently transcribed by TigerNet.com’s David Hood, Swinney likened himself to Osama Bin Laden in a comment that referencing his status in the state of Alabama these days.
Swinney was posed the following question in jest:
Is there a wall around the state of Alabama that doesn’t let you in anymore? Or around Pelham, Alabama? Can you still go home?
Swinney responded with what he thought was good humor:
“I think it was all fun and games early on. It was ‘Aww, isn’t that sweet?’ and all that stuff. I don’t know about walls, but I am kinda like Osama Bin Dabo,” Swinney said with a laugh. “I have to navigate my way through the caves and back channels to make my way through Alabama these days. They aren’t as happy to see me. But it’s all good. It’s a good problem.”
Excuse me? Osama Bin Dabo? Yeesh.
Nearly 18 years after Bin Laden masterminded the 9/11 attacks on the United States, which results in the death of more than 3,000 Americans in New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania, the since deceased terrorist still remains “Enemy No. 1” in the minds of many Americans.
SEC Network personality Paul Finebaum was one of many who took offense to the comment as it surfaced as a viral internet story on Tuesday.
Look, we get it. Swinney, who played for Gene Stallings on the 1992 national championship Crimson Tide football team, likely had no ill intention when he made what he thought was a good joke about his home state.
But there are some lines you just don’t cross, even in jest. This is one them.
SEC Y'ALL 