Tomorrow, a friend of mine who attends Georgetown University will arrive in the Deep South for his first time. He is flying to the Birmingham airport so he can be in Tuscaloosa for this weekend’s “Game of the Century.”
Every day, we wake up, go to class and go about our normal routine. We think about our involvements, our assignments and our chores. And in the fall, we look forward to game day because it gives us a time to get together with our friends, enjoy our campus and celebrate our team.
But this game day is different. This game day is Alabama football at its best, and it has attracted interest from people all over the country who want to feel like a part of the Alabama tradition.
As such, it is only appropriate that we take time to appreciate our team and the contributions it has made to our University.
Alabama football games aren’t just about winning on the field. They aren’t even just about the games.
Game day means interacting with friends and meeting strangers at tailgates on the Quad. Game day means reconnecting with people from our hometowns and distant cities. Game day means good food, great parties and exuberant school spirit.
It represents everything great about our school and our state. And the more intense the game, the more intense the experience.
Of course, once in Bryant-Denny Stadium, there are many other great moments – the “Traditions” video, the Million Dollar Band, and, hopefully, “Rammer Jammer” at the end. That’s without mentioning the actual game.
Our football team enables this great display of Southern culture, but our culture also supports our football team. Every part of our community blends together to support this great testament to unity and pride.
Most other universities do not have this. Even other schools with good football teams do not have this. That is why we seem so unique to them, so special. That is why they want to come here and be a part of it.
This game is especially important because it comes just after the six-month anniversary of the tornado that devastated Tuscaloosa last April. There is no better way for us to rebuild in spirit and symbolize the strength of our community than cheering on our team in the midst of its greatest challenge of the season.
It is also important because, whatever else may divide our student body, we’re all going to be cheering against LSU on Saturday. We are all going to be united behind our team in the face of adversity.
As for the actual matchup between the two titans of college football, it is hard to predict who will come out ahead. Both teams have had remarkably impressive seasons and can be expected to do well. But even if we lose, we have the opportunity to host a remarkable game day. Plus, there will always be Mississippi State and Auburn for us to beat later.
This weekend is our moment to shine, though. We have the opportunity to show the country what it means to be a part of the Alabama community.
More importantly, we have an opportunity to prove that to ourselves.
Tray Smith is the opinions editor of The Crimson White. His column runs on Thursdays.
