Courtesy Birmingham News

(July 14, 2008) With a court case pending on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, University of Alabama football radio analyst Kenny Stabler has decided to sit this football season out.

The former Alabama All-America quarterback will be replaced for the time being by Tom Roberts, familiar to Crimson Tide fans for his work as studio host of the game day broadcasts after serving as sideline reporter from 1998-2006.

Stabler maintains his innocence on charges stemming from his arrest at 1 a.m. Sunday, June 8, in Robertsdale, and called his decision not to be part of the broadcast team for the coming season "a leave of absence."

Both Stabler and officials from Crimson Tide Sports Marketing apparently leave open the possibility of Stabler returning to the broadcast team for the 2009 season.

"I am announcing today that I am taking a leave of absence from my position as the color analyst for the University of Alabama for the 2008 season to give me time to vigorously fight the allegations that have been made against me," Stabler said in a statement. "I did not break the law and I maintain my innocence. I have faith in our judicial system and I fully expect to be exonerated."

Jim Carabin, general manager of Crimson Tide Sports Marketing and producer of the Crimson Tide Sports Network, was on vacation and unavailable for comment.

However, Carabin did release a statement saying, "We regret that Kenny will not be part of our broadcast team during the upcoming season, but we accept and understand his decision. We are entirely supportive of Kenny and his family and feel that this is the right thing for them at this time."

The 62-year-old Stabler faces a court date of Aug. 13 in Robertsdale.

Alabama kicks off the 2008 season on Aug. 30 in Atlanta, in a game against Clemson University.

"Kenny had to do what he felt was best for both himself, the University of Alabama and the Crimson Tide Sports Network," said Alabama play-by-play broadcaster Eli Gold. "Tom will step in and do a fine job. He's a veteran broadcaster.

"And I hope everything works out as well for Kenny as it possibly can."

Stabler was previously arrested on DUI charges in 1995 and 2001.

"I regret that the Alabama family has had to suffer through this matter," Stabler's statement went on to say. "I will miss being part of the Crimson Tide Sports Network team and the wonderful interaction that I always enjoy with the many Tide fans throughout the season. I believe this is the right thing to do and is in the best interest of Alabama football and its legion of loyal fans."

Roberts, who is in his 30th year of working with the broadcasting of Alabama athletics, was adamant that he will only be replacing Stabler for the coming season.

"They asked me to take the color position for this year," said Roberts. "I personally hope Kenny is back. It's not something I want. But my bosses said, `Can you fill in for a year?' and I said, `Sure, I'll do whatever.' I'm a team player."

Stabler was driving a white 2007 Dodge Durango on Alabama 59 in Robertsdale when a patrolman stopped him "for probable cause" according to the police report.

Stabler refused to take a breathalyzer test, but was given a field sobriety test. Information from wire services and other media outlets contributed to this report.