Colleges

Florida-Alabama traditions

By ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times Staff Writer
Published September 29, 2007

STEEPED IN TRADITION

Florida and Alabama fans have rich game-day traditions of which fans love to partake. From toilet paper at Toomer's Corner in Auburn to singing We are the Boys at the end of the third quarter in Gainesville, fans love tradition.

Here are some unique opening-game rituals for Auburn, Alabama, Florida and Florida State.

War Eagle

The most popular story about the battle cry dates to the first time Auburn met Georgia in football in 1892. A spectator in the stands was a veteran of the Civil War who had with him an eagle the soldier had found on a battlefield during the war. He had kept it as a pet for almost 30 years. According to witnesses, the eagle suddenly broke free and began majestically circling the playing field. As the eagle soared, Auburn began a steady march toward the Georgia end zone for a thrilling victory. Elated at their team's play and taking the bird's presence as an omen of success, Auburn students and fans began to yell "War Eagle" to spur on their team:

Auburn fans know it's time to kick off when the War Eagle soars. In 2000, Auburn began a new tradition in which at the beginning of every home football game, "Tiger," a live Eagle is released into free flight from the upper deck of Jordan-Hare Stadium. While the crowd chants "Waaarrr Eagle," the Eagle circles the stadium and lands at midfield, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Currently, War Eagle VII, named Nova, has the distinction. It is one of the most impressive displays in all of college sports.

Rising gator

Florida can't bring a real Gator to the stadium, so it has the next best thing:

As the Gators prepare to take the field, fans turn to the JumboTron as a large alligator slithers into a lake and begins his swim. When the gator makes his way through the water, the roar of the fans begins to grow. Finally, the gator starts coming directly into the screen, opens his mouth wide (revealing very sharp teeth) and out come the Florida football players onto the field as the P.A. announcer proclaims "Heeeeerrrreee come the Gators." to the wild cheers of Florida fans.

Chief Osceola

Nearly three decades ago, Florida State unveiled a pregame ritual it hoped would be distinctive and electrifying. It was both, and it has become a signature of college football's pageantry:

Chief Osceola, an FSU student in traditional garb designed and endorsed by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, rides an Appaloosa named Renegade on the Doak Campbell Stadium field, pulls up at midfield and hurls a flaming spear into the ground.

The Bear and the JumboTron

He's been dead 24 years, but to this day when they pack Bryant-Denny Stadium, Paul "Bear" Bryant is among the spectators in spirit. The Tide's championship-themed video plays on the JumboTron with highlights of decades of Alabama football. Interspersed among the video clips are these words: "Our tradition is built on champions, tenacity, legends, heroes, winners, victories, excellence, drive, pride, endurance, desire, intensity, courage, poise, perfection, fight, spirit, domination, focus, grit, cornerbacks, heart and class."

But what really moves the crowd is a picture of Bryant on the JumboTron as he utters these words: "I'd like for the people to remember me as a winner cause I ain't never been nothin' but a winner."

By the time it's over, the stadium is rocking.

[Last modified September 28, 2007, 18:47:53]