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Kenny Stabler Admits He Was Drinking

By Pat Peterson Reporter

A judge acquitted the former Crimson Tide quarterback eventhough Stabler admitted he had been drinking when he was pulled over in Robertsdale. Kenny Stabler Admits He Was Drinking

Published: Thu, October 23, 2008 - 5:05 pm Last Updated: Sun, October 26, 2008 - 5:14 pm

Pat Peterson

When a Robertsdale police officer pulled over Kenny Stabler on Highway 59 last June, the former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback denied he had been drinking. But after the arresting officer continued to ask that same question, the "Snake" finally admitted he had been drinking before he was pulled over. Police dash-cam video captured the admission which eventually led to the arrest of the football legend.

That admission, however, along with the officer's sworn testimony that he smelled alcohol inside Stabler's S-U-V wasn't enough to convict Stabler. On Wednesday night, Judge James Sweet acquitted Stabler on both charges of DUI and reckless driving. Sweet ruled the prosecution did not meet its burden of proof in the case and did not prove Stabler was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

"I'm tired and worn out," says prosecutor John Gamble. "I'm disappointed but the judge made the decision based on what he had in front of him."

"There was a rush to judgment," says attorney Mark Polson, who represented Stabler. "The officer didn't do a good investigation."

Polson accused the Robertsdale Police Department of sloppy police work. The Birmingham lawyer also told the judge Stabler appeared wobbly on his feet during the arrest because of four football related knee surgeries...not because of alcohol.

"I certainly think the judge ruled correctly," says Polson. "There was a lack of evidence there."

Stabler's acquittal is still the talk in Baldwin County and across Alabama.

"I like Kenny Stabler," says Shari Rowell who owns the Beans 4 Brew Coffee Shop in Foley. Rowell says Stabler is the hot topic among customers and employees. "I'm a huge Alabama fan but the thing about it I guess if they expected to nail him, they should have had better evidence."

"It concerns me," says Beans 4 Brew Coffee Shop employee Dusty Workman. "I feel like what's he got to do? Is he going to kill somebody before they actually can put him away for something that he's already been in trouble with two other times?"

Stabler's attorney has hinted at his client's return to the broadcast booth. Stabler took a leave of absence from his position as color commentator for the Alabama Crimson Tide Sports Network before the start of the 2008 football season.

"He's ready to get back to work," says Polson. "Kenny loves Alabama and the students there."

Click here to watch dashcam video of Stabler's arrest.

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gunclinger Says:

Fri, Oct 24, 2008 at 12:32 pm

the judge and his son are Alabama alumni
the judge is a big bama football fan
when Kenny kills somebody while driving drunk will the judge share the responsibilty?
Does a lawyer have a conscience?

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carl Says:

Fri, Oct 24, 2008 at 11:39 am

The Snake was guilty and he knows that, but the loss from admitting it must have been too great for him to accept. I had higher expectations of him than he did of him self I guess. Here’s hoping he will seek help before he’s involved in one that he or some one else can’t walk away from. ” ROLL TIDE “.

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Madcap Says:

Fri, Oct 24, 2008 at 11:01 am

He admitted he had been drinking. He couldn’t make up his mind if he had a drivers license. Had to prop himself up on his car. It really doesn’t take an idiot to do the math here but apparently there are a few idiots who can’t add and one is a judge.

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jagman Says:

Fri, Oct 24, 2008 at 10:44 am

The video was played in court. The Judge watched it and considered it. But the video is but one small piece of the entire case.
If the law is in place to arrest and convict people then the police of all people should know how to proceed from start to finish to prove their case.
I’m not judging whether or not he was drunk. I’m looking from a legal standpoint. The police work was not up to the standard that would have resulted in a conviction.
They have to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt and to a moral certainty and in this case it didn’t happen.
Most idiots don’t know that.

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Madcap Says:

Fri, Oct 24, 2008 at 9:51 am

Well heck. Lets all just go out and party. When the cops pull us over all we have to do is to refuse any sobreity test and claim bad knees. Can get away with murder.

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Tide Fan Says:

Fri, Oct 24, 2008 at 9:51 am

He was Drunk…Any idiot can watch the video and determine he was trashed…Bad knees..give me a break. What sober person does what he did says the stupid #### he was saying. Just another drunk celebrity with a slick lawyer.The implied consent law should be revamped. If you refuse a breath test…automatic guilt.

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jagman Says:

Fri, Oct 24, 2008 at 9:43 am

Just drinking and driving is not against the law. You have to be proven to be over the limit.
That’s why there is a limit.
The evidence presented by the City of Robertsdale could not prove that he was over the limit, and therfore he was Not Guilty.

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carl Says:

Fri, Oct 24, 2008 at 6:37 am

Remember all you bank robbers and such,if you get caught yell ROLL TIDE all the way to jail and then ask your trial be transferred to judge Sweet’s court.Shame on that bad patrolman for trying to frame the snake!

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justice Says:

Fri, Oct 24, 2008 at 6:13 am

it’s who you know. there is no justice in alabama.

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Allen Says:

Fri, Oct 24, 2008 at 5:56 am

Who’s headstone will he create? Maybe the judge, his lawyer or maybe it will be yours or worse, one of your children or grandchildren.

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