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Nick Saban on DB Tony Mitchell's arrest: 'No such thing as being in the wrong place at the wrong time'

Mitchell was arrested Wednesday and charged with possession and the intent to sell marijuana

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 31: Nick Saban head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on during the fourth quarter of the Allstate Sugar Bowl against the Kansas State Wildcats at Caesars Superdome on December 31, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Nick Saban said freshman DB Tony Mitchell has been suspended following his arrest. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Nick Saban confirmed Monday that Alabama freshman defensive back Tony Mitchell had been suspended from the team and all team activities after his arrest Wednesday.

Mitchell was arrested after he was pulled over by Holmes County, Florida, sheriff’s deputies. According to the sheriff’s department, the car Mitchell was driving had more than $7,000 in cash and 226 grams of marijuana in it.

Mitchell has been charged with marijuana possession and intent to sell/distribute. The sheriff’s department also said that he admitted to trying to flee police and hit 141 mph before he was pulled over in the arrest report obtained by Al.com.

Monday evening, Saban said there was “no such thing as being in the wrong place at the wrong time,” when referring to Mitchell’s arrest.

“Everybody’s got an opportunity to make choices and decisions; there’s no such thing as being in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Saban said at a spring practice news conference. “Gotta be responsible for who you’re with, who you’re around, what you do and who you associate with and the situations you put yourself in. It is what it is but there is cause and effect when you make choices and decisions that put you in bad situations.”

Saban is the second Alabama coach to reference wrong place at the wrong time language in a news conference recently. Alabama men's basketball coach Nate Oats told reporters in February that star freshman forward Brandon Miller was in the “wrong spot at the wrong time” in the fatal shooting of Jamea Harris on Jan. 15.

Former Alabama basketball player Darius Miles has been charged with capital murder in Harris’ death as Miles’ gun was allegedly used by Michael Davis in the shooting. Per police testimony on the day of Oats’ remark, Miller allegedly delivered the gun to Miles before the shooting.

Later that night, Oats said his remarks “came across poorly” and that he didn’t intend to downplay the seriousness of the shooting. Miller’s attorney said that Miller did not touch the gun and was “not involved in its exchange to Mr. Davis.” Miller has not been charged with a crime and is considered a witness.

Mitchell was a four-star member of Alabama’s 2023 recruiting class and will miss part or all of his first spring practices with the team. He was ranked as the 162nd-best player in his class and the No. 10 safety of 2023.