Willie Ryles, the Alabama football player who...

Willie Ryles, the Alabama football player who died last week after collapsing on the practice field, was buried less than 24 hours after the Crimson Tide’s season-opening game, which Ryles was to have started at defensive tackle.

Coach Ray Perkins, his staff and players, flew to Columbus, Ga., for Ryles’ funeral after Alabama’s 16-10 victory over Ohio State Wednesday night in the Kickoff game at East Rutherford, N.J.

An estimated 800 jammed the Fourth Street Baptist Church for the funeral. Perkins paid tribute to the 6-4, 240-pound sophomore, who lapsed into unconsciousness Aug. 18 after collapsing during practice. Doctors later detected a blood clot on the side of his brain.

“This young man cared for others,” Perkins said. “He believed in doing what was right, not wrong. I referred to him as a big teddy bear. He was a gentle young man.”