About two months ago, my dad called me while I was away at school and asked if I would want to go to the Iron Bowl over Thanksgiving break. After living with two brothers for 19 years I had enough knowledge to know that the Iron Bowl was the crazy rival football game between the University of Alabama and Auburn University. I agreed thinking that it was going to somehow fall through and I would not actually have to go. Then, two weeks before Thanksgiving, my dad called to tell me that he confirmed the flight.
In all honesty, it is hard to have a bad attitude about something when other people around you are so excited. My brothers have been waiting for this their entire lives and my dad had mentioned that the Iron Bowl has always been on his Bucket List. So, essentially, I was going for them. I really believed that this trip had nothing to do with me, other than just being something to do with my family.
To avoid such an expensive flight, we landed in Nashville, Tennessee and spent the night. Having been there before, I was really excited and even got to see a Grand Ole Opry performance at the Ryman Auditorium. Without really knowing anyone there, it was still an amazing experience because of the relaxed and traditional atmosphere.
The next morning, we woke up super early in order to drive about three hours to the University of Alabama. I was hungry and tired and honestly annoyed that I was wasting my time going somewhere I didn't even care about. But, once we arrived, I quickly realized how wrong I was.
Once you get close to the stadium, the crowds are insane. There are people from all walks of life there to experience the magic of the day. Everyone waits outside the stadium for the team to arrive on buses. People are tailgating and partying on "frat row" before the game starts.
In the stadium, the energy is exhilarating. Everyone is excited and constantly cheering. Whenever the announcer says "Alabama", the crowd screams back "ROLL TIDE!" The craziest thing for me was that everyone participated, it wasn't just the student section. Attending the University of Alabama games are a tradition for the people that live there and that was really evident by old and young people alike chanting. Everyone was singing the University of Alabama rendition of "Dixieland Delight" by the band called Alabama so passionately that I actually got the chills. Everyone was so nice too, even the rival fans were tolerant and respectful.
Alabama's football team was so insanely talented. They easily beat Auburn, leaving everyone even more excited than before. By the end of the day, I was so happy that I went. The Iron Bowl was an experience that I will never forget and always treasure.
