Question: Why do people cheer for the University of Alabama football team when they didn't attend school there?

[mlh]

My brother got his undergraduate and masters degrees at Auburn. Then he went to LSU for his PHD. He became an Alabama fan because of Coach Bryant. He admired the discipline and confidence and class with which his teams played. Then his daughter attended UA when Saban came to T-town. My brother has continued to be a fan of Bama due to the dominance and consistent performance under Saban. So, it's all about respect for a high quality product.

But he will still let loose with a War Eagle during the Iron Bowl when things go their way.

 

[deliveryman35]

No pro sports while growing up in and around Alabama would probably be one reason that I gravitated toward it and also was indoctrinated from a young age by my dad, who did graduate from UA in 1966 and had classes that included, among others, Joe Namath.

 

[Ledsteplin]

I didn't go to Alabama. I went to UNA. I think many who didn't attend U of A are fans because the school carries the state name. The real question should be, why do fans who didn't go to Auburn, support that school.

 

[bamafaninbham]

I believe the term is "Sidewalk fan" or "T Shirt" fan.................the Aubies and UGA fans like to use that one, but the majority of AU fans in Georgia and a good many UGA fans never went to either school

Several years back I was with a group of high school friends gathered for a weekend of football watching fun. Most were barners and there was one who just could not understand why there were so many Alabama fans that didn't attend. I turned to this genius barner and said well you graduated from North Alabama.

 

[Aussie BamaFan]

Jesse Williams is why im a Tide fan

 

[bamamc1]

I was “raised” a Bama fan as my Dad and Mom loved the University. I attended UNA on scholarship but have always been a fan. Memories of peanuts roasting in the oven with Forney and Layton doing the broadcast will forever be ingrained in my heart and soul. I still find myself drifting out into the garage to listen to the radio all the while the game is playing on my TV. My daughter is planning to attend UA as a Freshman in the fall of 2025. I think I’m more excited than she is. RTR my friends.

 

[CrimSonami]

By default, initially. I was a Bama fan due to living in the state. As far as family fandom my dad wasn't interested in sport and viewed it largely as a waste of time and effort. Once I started team sport participation and realized the value in it, I looked at other universities and decided to follow The Tide primarily due to Coach Bryant coming to Alabama the same year I was born.

 

[Down4ttown]

Family was Bama fans. Always hated orange (was born to in TN). Big thing was wanted to root for a team outside the norm. I don’t believe in following a team because of location or alumni status.

 

[CB4]

By default, initially. I was a Bama fan due to living in the state. As far as family fandom my dad wasn't interested in sport and viewed it largely as a waste of time and effort. Once I started team sport participation and realized the value in it, I looked at other universities and decided to follow The Tide primarily due to Coach Bryant coming to Alabama the same year I was born.

Your father and mine were very similar it seems. My oldest brother was the first in the family to attend college (all the way through to a Ph.D). At the time, I was the second (one of the middle brothers completed college later in life). My father quit high school in the early 1920’s to go work to support a family of nine.

Don’t get me wrong. My father loved Alabama football and Coach Bryant. But listening (for the most part) or watching a game was never a priority. And when it came to “participation” in sports (primarily football and baseball for my brothers and I) it was, in his determination, more of a nuisance than anything. Funny thing was, despite that lack of “parental support”, my oldest brother was good enough to make the freshman football team at Jacksonville State.

I believe my father’s love of Alabama football and Coach Bryant stemmed from what many of us know. There was not a bunch of “good things” happening at that time in the South. And Alabama football and Coach Bryant were one of the few “good things” you could take pride in.

 

[Al A Bama]

When you are born in Alabama and the doctor slaps you on the booty, you shout “Roll Tide” or “War Eagle”. I screamed “Roll Tide Roll”!

 

[Tidelines]

To me Alabama has and still does embodies hard work to achieve a goal. I think this resonates with a wide range of people. Fans ( that don’t directly compete against us ) respect the dedication and work ethics of Alabama football teams.

 

[crimsonaudio]

When you are born in Alabama and the doctor slaps you on the booty, you shout “Roll Tide” or “War Eagle”.

This is untrue - kids have to be taught to be hateful.

 

[CoolBreeze]

Man I love this thread.

 

[BamaMoon]

I was raised to know nothing else. Watched, listened and attended games from the time I learned to walk and talk so "Roll Tide" came out naturally and easily.

My papaw, dad and uncles all rooted on the Tide religiously.

I'd love a degree from Bama, but my field of ministry required me to go elsewhere.

I used to have a bumper sticker that read: "Alabama by birth, Crimson Tide by the grace of God."

 

[uafan4life]

My dad began following the Tide in the '60s because of Coach Bryant, despite (or, possibly, also due to) most of his relatives being Tennessee fans.

He later attended graduate school at UA so he's an alum.

I've simply been a Bama since almost the day I was born...

 

[VirginiaTide57]

My dad was a farm boy from Sand Mountain near Boaz who left at 17 to join the Army. Three years later, stationed in England, he married my mom and they had 5 kids. We eventually lived in Huntsville in the early 60's. Had a brother and sister graduate from UA and they both married graduates. My mother, despite being English and almost 90, is a rabid Bama fan, as are all her kids and in-laws! We've even been able to expand the family fan base to Western Massachusetts, replacing the Domers as team of choice! Roll Tide.

 

[BamaNation]

My brother got his undergraduate and masters degrees at Auburn. Then he went to LSU for his PHD. He became an Alabama fan because of Coach Bryant. He admired the discipline and confidence and class with which his teams played. Then his daughter attended UA when Saban came to T-town. My brother has continued to be a fan of Bama due to the dominance and consistent performance under Saban. So, it's all about respect for a high quality product.

But he will still let loose with a War Eagle during the Iron Bowl when things go their way.

Looks like you are definitely the smart one in the family!

 

[BamaNation]

Loving reading these. Keep'em coming and thanks for sharing!

 

[bamaslammer]

dumb question,

answer: Because we're awesome.

 

[JayBama_in_PCOLA]

I got accepted but I knew I wouldn't have the money to go to Bama. It was nice to know I was accepted, but I got a scholarship to another in state school. Better questions is why wouldn't I!?