Alabama, Okla. St. Dealing Differently With Shreveport Casinos

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) _ Alabama football players in town for the Independence Bowl didn't waste time getting into one of the prime attractions in Shreveport: Casinos. <br/><br/>Oklahoma State coach

Tuesday, December 26th 2006, 11:38 am

By: News On 6

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) _ Alabama football players in town for the Independence Bowl didn't waste time getting into one of the prime attractions in Shreveport: Casinos.

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy has prohibited his team from visiting the gambling halls. But The Oklahoman newspaper reported Tuesday that some Crimson Tide players spent Christmas Eve in casinos after arriving for the game, which will be played Thursday afternoon.

The newspaper said Alabama players age 21 and older were seen ordering alcoholic drinks and betting at blackjack, roulette and poker tables.

Alabama's interim coach, Joe Kines, advised his players not to waste their money but didn't prohibit them from visiting casinos.

``We set up a box at the door and told our players to drop their money in and we'd give it back (after the bowl game),'' Kines said.

Informed that several Alabama players were seen with a stack of chips, a few turning a profit at the Horseshoe Casino, Kines smiled:

``I didn't hear that,'' Kines said. ``Three-fourths of our team is under 21 which shows you how young this team is.''

Only about one-third of Oklahoma State's 90 or so players who made the bowl trip are 21 or older, which is the legal age for gambling in Louisiana. State law mandates two days in jail and a $500 fine for minors who try to visit a casino.

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy prohibited his players from visiting casinos.

``If our guys want to play poker or gamble, they have the rest of their lives to do that,'' Gundy said. ``I don't have anything against it. But they're still on our time.

``Our opinion is this isn't a professional team. They're representing a university and they're students. We're down here to enjoy each other and win a football game.''

Oklahoma State linebacker Rodrick Johnson said he would resist the temptation of sneaking out to a casino.

``All the guys were pumped because we knew casinos were here, and then they told us we weren't allowed to go,'' Johnson said. ``I guess it's for the best. But I'd love to go to the casino one day and play a little poker. Blackjack is my game.''

Alabama and OSU play in the Independence Bowl Thursday at 3:30 p.m.