Every year around this time, I get to jonesing about being in Bryant-Denny Stadium with 100,000 of my closest friends to watch the Alabama Crimson Tide roll.
The BDS experience is truly special, from pregaming on the quad with thousands of friendly faces to the Walk of Champions to all the pageantry that takes place during the game itself. You just can't beat a fall Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Traditions are what make college football stand above every other sport, even if the powers that be have done their best to ruin it.
Because all the outside noise doesn't matter when toe meets leather and you've got a crimson and white shaker in your hands.
The best of the best in Alabama football gameday traditions
Tailgating on The Quad
No experience would be complete without taking in the scenery on The Quad and enjoying an adult beverage or six with a bunch of Crimson Tide fans. Do yourself a favor and just wander around the quad and take it all in. You'll find yourself invited to numerous tailgates with delicious food on the grill and cold beverages aplenty.
Hydrate with a yellow hammer and thank me later.
The Walk of Champions
A couple hours before kickoff, meet everyone over in front of the stadium for the Walk of Champions. Take a gander at the past of Alabama football with the statues of national championship-winning coaches Wallace Wade, Frank Thomas, Bear Bryant, Gene Stallings, and Nick Saban before the present and future of the Crimson Tide make their march inside the stadium for war.
Sweet Home Alabama
It wouldn't be an Alabama football game without a little Sweet Home Alabama coming through the speakers. At Bryant-Denny, there's a three-word added lyric every time Lynyrd Skynyrd gets to the chorus and says "Sweet Home Alabama." If you don't respond right away with a Roll Tide Roll, then you may be asked to leave.
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLL TIDE ROLL
As kickoff is set to commence, everyone in the stadium will pick up their crimson and white shakers and begin the ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLL Tide Roll chant. For newbies, you hang on to that first roll until the ball is kicked. As soon as toe meets leather, the Tide Roll comes next.
First Down Alabama....Roll Tide!
Everytime there's a first down for Alabama, the PA announcer comes over the loudspeaker and emphatically states "First down, Alabama." It's your responsibility to respond with your loudest "Roll Tide!" as soon as he finishes that off.
The Million Dollar Band
The Million Dollar Band will play throughout the game with traditional songs like Yea Alabama, the school's fight song, and Tusk. But at halftime, the band will take the field and perform while the players rest and the coaches adjust.
Dixieland Delight
One of the best new traditions for Alabama football is Dixieland Delight, played in the fourth quarter of home games to the raucous approval of the 100,000 in attendance. It's a good song on its own, but the added lyrics are what make it the best. Even the crass ones.
A passionate rendition during the 2014 Iron Bowl got this banned for a little bit, but it's back and as good as ever.
Rammer Jammer
Nothing hits like singing Rammer Jammer with the Bryant-Denny faithful in the aftermath of a Crimson Tide victory. Winning isn't enough; we have to let the opposing players and fans know that we, in fact, just beat the hell out of them.
Rammer Jammer, Yellow Hammer. Give 'em hell, Alabama!
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