I'm a Believer

People told me that I wouldn't be able to imagine southern football. Even with the descriptions and stories, that I wouldn't quite understand until I'd seen it for myself. Last weekend, we stepped a toe into the shallow end of the football pool. We walked around and people watched. Bought some alcohol, pulled up a patch of curb and attended the Tiger Walk. We were there, at the end of the Tiger walk when the eagle came by in its van with a police escort. When the marching band, over 400 members strong came marching to the intersection next to the stadium, filling each of the four streets, playing different songs until they merged, we were there. Standing, waving, clapping, wondering at how this sleepy little town could so suddenly burst to life. We spent the game at Skybar, watching Auburn soundly beat ULM (that's University of Louisiana-Monroe) 24-0. I thought I had the idea of what southern football was about. That evening after the game ended, we sat at home listening to the sounds of undergraduates partying around us and I said, "I think I'm over this whole football thing."

I spoke to soon.

We bought tickets for today's 11:30am Auburn v. Southern Miss football game a few weeks ago. Brandt and Eric (two of the other visiting 1 year instructors) come over at about 10:30am and lock their bikes at our apartment complex. We walk to Cambridge Coffee to get a caffeine boost and head to the stadium. As we get closer to the stadium, I start to get pretty excited. We are in a sea of orange. People are flocking to the stadium, en mass and we are streaming in right along with them. Once getting through Gate 1, we start the long climb up the ramps that zigzag sharply along the side of the stadium. We catch glimpses of orange and green as we go up and up, finally exiting at the very top. Nosebleed section, big time. We finally walk out into the seating area and bam!

Jordan-Hare Stadium. An amazing view, of the stadium and beyond. Everyone in orange and blue. Ok, some people in the Southern Miss colors of yellow and black, but so few it doesn't ruin the effect. Right when we get to our seats the announcer booms: "Will everyone please direct their attention to sections 110 & 109 [we are sitting in 110] for a special sight! Spirit, the eagle, will now be released for the traditional flight around the stadium!" We look up and here comes a beautiful bald eagle flying over our heads swooping around the stadium before coasting over to the field and diving down to the 50 yard line. A sight to be seen.

The marching band comes onto the field.

Southern Miss runs onto the field. And then...

The AU football team enters. The whole stadium is up and cheering.

The offense is great. Someone, last name of Dunn I believe, wearing the number 3 jersey, is amazing. Weaving through these huge Southern Miss defensive linemen like it is nothing.

The AU defensive line is a force to be reckoned with. Each time the defense comes onto the field the slogan "Protect this house" comes onto the Jumbo Tron.

I start to feel it. The Auburn Tigers are good. Real good. They are amazing. They represent this university and city. They are members of the kick ass SEC (Southeastern Conference) and play at a level of college sport here to wit unknown by me. In this sea of fans, screaming "Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaar Eagle, hey!", "Go D!", and "Weagle, Weagle, War Damn Eagle, Kick 'em in the butt big blue!" it is hard not to buy in. After the game, walking back to our apartment I see a T-shirt that says, "Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger." And I know it must be true. I've been inducted into the cult of southern football by AU. All Auburn, All Orange, as the saying goes. I watched that football game with 87, 450 other football fans. We stood in the rain 'til we were soaked to the bone. I cheered until my voice was hoarse. My face is burnt, I am dehydrated and worn out but I'm happy.

War Eagle!