Crazy Things You Should Know About Auburn Tigers Football
Auburn University began playing football in 1892. They were one of the founding members of the Southeastern conference in 1932 and moved to the West division when the Southeastern conference split up in 1992. “What’s with all the ‘2s’ in these years? Is this some kind of crazy consipiracy?” said a conspiracy nut in the area.
The Tigers have played at Jordan-Hare Stadium in 1939. Every home game sells out. We are talking about more than 87,000 people. If Jordan-Hare Stadium on game day were a city, they would be the fifth largest town in the state. In 1994, the Stadium incorporated as a city and now has its own mayor, city council and potholes they won’t fix, just like your town.
“What’s with all the damn potholes? My cousin lived in a pothole for 2 months before they could get her out!” a local was heard to say.
Auburn has a long-term rivalry with in-state enemy Alabama. They battle every year in the Iron bowl, where the loser has to iron shirts of the winners for the next three months. “Light starch, on hangers, and I need them Tuesday!” one player demanded.
Auburn played its very first game against the University of Georgia, who they beat 10-0, starting the rivalry that has been called the”Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.” This is the game where Auburn’s “War Eagle” fight song began. It goes like this:
War Eagle,War Eagle, fly above the bogs
And beat the dastardly Georgia Bulldogs
War Eagle, War Eagle, give them the Blitz!
Take those Bulldogs to the vet to get fixed.
In 1899, Auburn was leading Georgia when officials made the decision to end the game due to darkness. According to newspaper accounts, it was so dark the crowd could not see the game and pushed forward to get a better look.
As they got closer they actually came onto the field, mixing with players. Later, it was discovered this was a tactic of the Georgia Bulldogs. Known as the “BullDogs Fans Misdirection,” it involves filling the field with bulldog fans, where the quarterback hands the ball to a barber, shopkeeper, gas station attendant or other loyal fan of Georgia.
The fan then sneaks through the crowd and crosses the goal line where he then hands the ball back to a Georgia player who celebrates the touchdown. This sneaky play requires darkness and the support of 100 to 150 loyal fans. Unfortunately, in this game Auburn was able to petition the officials to call the game for darkness before Georgia was able to pull off this ingenious play. “Did I tell you I ran a play for Georgia the other day? No, silly, I am not on the team. I’m a gas station attendant, for dern’s sake!” said one of the townsfolk in on the ruse.
