While not receiving an NBA level paycheck, Winston still has a sweet deal in Spain
The Birmingham News ran a story on Saturday about former Bama basketball player Kennedy Winston. Winston left Alabama early and declared for the 2005 NBA draft only to go unpicked. He spent last season playing in Grancanaria, Spain earning a salary of $130,000 (tax free) with his apartment, utilities, food and car provided by the team. That's a long way from the millions of the NBA, but I'd be happy to have a similar arrangement.
Current Bama basketball player Jermareo Davidson would likely have been passed over in the NBA draft as well and has wisely stayed for his senior season. Davidson almost declared in '05 and again in '06. If he progresses this year like he has in previous years, Davidson has a good shot at getting drafted in '07. Hopefully Winston's experience and Davidson's wise decision will influence future Bama hoops players to play through their senior years.
Former Bama RB Sherman Williams
The Mobile Press-Register has a ten page interview with former Tide running back Sherman Williams. Unfortunately, Williams got involved in dealing marijuana in his hometown of Mobile after four years in the NFL and is currently serving a fifteen year sentence in a federal prison in Arkansas. He seems to be doing as well as one could under the circumstances. He has expressed an interest in entering the trucking business or real estate upon his release.
Williams is 5th on Alabama's all-time rushing list and will forever be remembered for the short pass he caught and turned into a 50 yard TD reception for the winning score against Ohio State late in the 4th quarter of the 1995 Citrus Bowl (now Capital One Bowl.)
All of his autograph cards are custom made
Lastly, I'm not an autograph seeker myself, but I do have a great appreciation for someone that approaches their hobby with gusto and then chronicles it on the internet for others to enjoy. Check out the NCAA Autographs blog where Jonathan sends out hundreds of autograph requests every year to NCAA football and basketball players. He posts all kinds of stats about his quest and it's pretty interesting to see who returns his stuff and who doesn't. As far as Bama folks, he's mentioned getting Mike Shula and Brodie Croyle autographs through the mail and he has Ken Darby on his list for this year.