Alabama high school football team forfeits games after players receive gift cards: 'This really stings'

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An Alabama high school football team has forfeited a victory after the school provided gift cards to multiple players.

Tuscaloosa County head coach Adam Winegarden said the players received the gift cards following the team's win over Central-Tuscaloosa. Tuscaloosa County is a member of the state's 7A classification and defeated Bessemer City in Week 2 this season.

"We got a call from the (Alabama High School Athletic Association) that we had some athletes recognized by receiving some cards to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings," Winegarden said via NJ.com. "Since they received those gift cards, it broke their status as amateur athletes."

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Tuscaloosa County forfeited its win over Bessemer City.

Winegarden added that the gift cards in question were not redeemed. At least two players who received the gift cards were on the football field for the blowout win over Bessemer City.

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Last week, Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) executive director Alvin Briggs sent a memo to school leaders as a reminder of the association's amateur rules.

"It should be understood that the NCAA’s NIL does NOT apply to current high school student-athletes," the memo stated via NJ.com. "Current high school student-athletes CANNOT earn money or accept money (cash, check, Venmo, Apple Pay, gift cards, checks, etc.) as a result of their connection to their high school team.

"It is the school’s responsibility to communicate and educate students and parents on the AHSAA Amateur Rule, and the penalties if a student