On Friday, January 23, 2026, WVTM13 reported that Tuscaloosa County Judge Jim Roberts is facing scrutiny regarding potential bias in his ruling that allowed former Alabama center Charles Bediako to play for the Crimson Tide. The ruling came after Roberts approved a restraining order against the NCAA, enabling Bediako to return to the court amidst eligibility controversies.

The controversy extends beyond the court, with concerns raised about Roberts’ connections to the University of Alabama. He is listed as a Circle Donor on the Crimson Tide Foundation’s website, indicating donations ranging from $100,000 to $249,000. These financial ties have sparked questions about a potential conflict of interest, despite Roberts not being an alumnus of the university.

This situation is not unprecedented. Similar cases involving judges’ impartiality have surfaced before. In North Carolina, a judge recused himself from a case involving a Duke player’s NIL deal due to being a season ticket holder. Similarly, in Mississippi, a judge overseeing an Ole Miss player’s eligibility case had graduated from the university’s law school.

According to attorney Rick Davis, the decision to recuse oneself ultimately rests with the judge handling the case. Davis noted that while Roberts and his wife have donated to the University of Alabama, Roberts did not attend the university’s law school or pursue undergraduate studies there. Davis refrained from commenting on whether Roberts should recuse himself.

The American Bar Association’s website provides guidance on judicial disqualification, stating that a judge should disqualify themselves if their fairness could be reasonably questioned, or if they have a personal bias toward a party in the case, or personal knowledge of facts in the case. Judge Jim Roberts’ office declined to comment on the ongoing case.

Coach Nate Oats defended Bediako’s eligibility, stating that he is within his five-year eligibility window. Oats emphasized that Bediako is pursuing his degree at Alabama and that his presence on the team does not take away opportunities from high school recruits. He argued that Bediako should not be penalized for choosing the academic route over a professional career.

 

 

Source: WVTM13