Alabama men’s basketball coach Nate Oats revealed this week that he reached out and spoke to Pro Football Hall of Famer Ray Lewis about the situation involving former player Darius Miles.
The former basketball player as well as another man were arrested on capital murder charges over the weekend. Investigators claim that Miles admitted to providing the handgun immediately before the shooting. Another man is accused of firing the gun and killing a 23-year-old woman near the University of Alabama’s campus.
Oats spoke about the situation shortly before the Crimson Tide’s 78-66 victory over Vanderbilt.
“His daughter went to Alabama a year-and-a-half ago,” he told the Crimson Tide Sports Network. “He went through a similar situation in Atlanta. He played in the NFL. He told me what he thought guys needed to hear.”
“I just thought he’s been through, you know, a tragic situation,” Oats said, via AL.com. “One of the more mentally tough athletes in my time. His daughter went to Alabama, so I was able to get his number. I talked to him. He didn’t talk to the team or anything. But he kind of talked to me. He’s a man of faith as well. Just kind of told me to share a little word with him, pray with him. That’s what they need right now. His daughter went to school here a year-and-a-half ago, so she’s pretty shook up by the whole situation, too.”
As you may remember, Lewis and several others were indicted on murder charges following a Super Bowl XXXIV party in Atlanta in 2000. One of the men alleged Lewis had blood stains on his white suit, but it has never been recovered.
The Baltimore Ravens legend would negotiate a plea agreement in which the murder charges against him were dropped in exchange for testimony against the two other men charged. He would receive a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice and was sentenced to 12 months probation.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google! Follow Us
As for as Miles, he has since been dismissed from the team.
