Rashaan Evans caused an uproar when he picked the Tide instead of his hometown Tigers, but some Auburn citizens are allegedly picking football over one of their own.
The Auburn City Council heard from a citizen concerned about Evans' safety in town.
As the No. 2 outside linebacker in the country, 18-year-old Evans was a top choice, and considered Alabama, Auburn and UCLA.
Evans is 6-foot-3-inches tall, 217 pounds and packed quite a punch when he chose Auburn's biggest rival.
The "betrayal" ran deep, many said.
Auburn resident, Larry Taylor, came forward during Citizen's Communication at the council meeting, and addressed issues he had heard around town.
He identified himself as the vice president of the Concerned Citizens of Equal Justice.
He told the Council that Evans and his family have suffered harassment and unfair treatment as a result of his choice in college.
"The family is very upset because there is talk about shutting down the family business, The Corner Market," Taylor said. "That it just ridiculous, a boy should have the right to make a choice of where he wants to go to school and not worry about it affecting his family and their livelihood."
Taylor said he came forward as a representative of the people of Auburn concerned with the behavior exhibited by some of the citizens.
"The child is only 18-years-old and people in this great town are wishing him injury and refusing to serve him," Councilmember Arthur Dowdell said. "To me that is just as bad as killing our trees."
City Manager Charlie Duggan said that no crimes against Evans have been reported.
"We can't do anything unless a crime is reported," Duggan said. "Refusing service is only illegal if based on race or gender, I don't think football preference is covered by law. I don't see any business owners in Auburn refusing service to the young man."
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