I remember visiting my grandmother and spending time with my favorite (male) cousin, David, who lived in Birmingham. He was never shy in bragging about living in the great state of Alabama to this Florida cracker (I never knew what that meant, but that’s what we were called).
So one day we were walking to or from downtown Sheffield (you’d have to visit there to believe it) and I saw a sticker in the back window of a car that proclaimed: ALABAMA.
I figured my cousin would be very impressed that someone was as proud of his state as he. I’d never heard of University of Alabama or the other, lesser institute of learning in some hick-town-cow-pasture about 160 miles southeast of Tuscaloosa. Tuscaloosa was, after all, home of (at that time) the winning-est coach in college football – the esteemed Paul “Bear” Bryant and his formidable Crimson Tide.
David quickly informed me that sticker had nothing to do with the sovereign state of Alabama and was, in the context of football, as bad as any profanity I might ever allow to slip from my lips. And I’d been known to let some profanity slip from my lips on regular occasions.
In time, we moved to Montgomery and I learned that every resident of the state was required to announce allegiance to Alabama or that other school. To live in the deep south was to be an SEC football fanatic. My choice was mainly by default … my parents loved Alabama football, so we never watched the other school unless it was the Iron Bowl. The final game of the regular season when the two schools played each other.
During the season, every Sunday afternoon we watched “The Bear Bryant Show” where he would go over the game tapes of the previous day. Bear didn’t really talk as much as he growled. But we loved him … and still miss him. I look back on it now and realize it had more to do with advertising Coke and Lay’s Potato chips than the actual game itself. When Alabama won (which was often), Bear never took credit for the victory, and when they lost (seldom) he always took the blame.
One thing for sure: No matter how the rest of the season went, there was no telling which team would win this game until the final moments of the final quarter. It was, and continues to be, collegiate football at its very best.
With the 2010 football season now upon us, I just wanted to share this wonderful graphic:
And if you’re interested in a theologically-sound treatise on college football, check out this blog by Dr. Michael Brown.
My cousin, a retired university professor still pledges his heart to that hick town southeast of Tuscaloosa. You’d think with six years (!) of high school and a Ph.D., he would be smarter than that.
Be that as it may: Let the season begin.
ROLL TIDE!
ROLL TIDE ROLL, brohammar or as they say in the 2-0-5, RTR.
Where I come from your Christian character is highly suspect if you don’t pull for the Crimson and White.
And by the way, today is wear your college colors day, so let the Crimson and White be unfurled everywhere.
I got to meet the Bear in Birmingham while purchasing tickets in a respectable ticket outlet (shady bar at the top of a hotel). He was sitting at a table with what looked like a dark colored class of ice tea/Jim Beam. He shook our hands and I don’t remember a word he said.
Now, I think I’ve found a blog I like more than yours–Rock on Dr. B!
Not to be a nit-picking butt wipe or anything and to show that I’m a true fan, there is no player with the number, 81, this year.
Peace.
[Well I think you ARE being a nit-picking guy, but the graphic was produced by UofA to show off the new uniforms this year. And just because Dr. B puts out one decent blog, don't think he's as good as "Why Soitenly!" on a day to day basis!]
Roll Tide!
and
Go Blue!
[Blue?]
WDE!!!!
[Westinghouse Digital Electronics? What does that have to do with football?]
I hate to break it to you but the real football season ended a couple of months ago with the World Cup… does that count in Alabama?
P.S. On second thought, knowing how a lot of southern folks feel about their football …. ROLL TIDE!!
[You redeemed yourself just in time. I was moving the mouse to delete your comment! You are supposed to stay "above reproach" (1 Tim.3:2a) and I was just about to declare you reproached. With 13 National Championships and 22 SEC conference titles, you're darned right southerners take it seriously.]
Real football? Soccer?? Not in the south!!
I was going to ask you if you noticed the houndstooth in the numbers…..This graphic is staring at me on my lap top as I type. I can’t wait for tomorrow even if it is pay=per-view…me or my dog shelby may have to sacrifice some food, but I must see the Tide’s opener!! RTR!!!!
[The houndstooth design is also in the strip on the helmet. The gloves has one of Saban's five values on each finger, from pinky to thumb: Discipline, Commitment, Toughness, Effort, Pride. The USA flag on the sleeve is to honor our men and women in the military. Classy uniform ... will be worn for the first time against Mississippi State on Nov. 13, two days after Veteran's Day.]
RTR!!! Wearing crimson and white today!
[I would be if I could. Not sure the family I am meeting with today would understand me wearing one of my many Alabama shirts ... the only crimson and white I have.]
I was just getting ready to say something really nice about Alabama and their new uniforms when I read your blurb to Donna’s comment above that the first time the “candy cane” red & white boys are wearing them is Nov. 13 against the indomitable, wonderous, always great team the Mississippi State Bulldogs!!
Tom’s daughter, Kim, and my son, Mark, both went to school there and received their degrees from that fine institution, so whenever they play, WHOEVER they play, we support them (as we did when our kids were in school there, but that was in a different way, of course!).
Any other time, we’d be happy to see Alabama win. (Well . . . unless they are playing the University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles, MY alma mater – and Brett Favre’s.) But, the REST of the time. We’d even urge Alabama on mightily against Ole Miss!!
Surely, that counts for something. Not being from Alabama and all.
Cheers! & Roll Tide Roll! (Except Nov. 13).
Dee
[Out of my love and respect for you, I'm going to allow this nonsense to stay!]
I just don’t get you college football people. I’ve always seen college football as something that gets in the way of the NFL and MLB playoffs.
Roll Tide! Like this blog.