Father Orthoduck knew that the Deep South is a place of strongly held religious beliefs. In returning to Alabama, Father Orthoduck knew that he would encounter those strongly held beliefs. However, even Father Orthoduck was unprepared for the strength of the committed beliefs found in Alabama on a certain subject. Yesterday, at the VA Medical Center, he witnessed what was a humorous exchange, but one that pointed out the depths of the division found in Alabama on this particular belief.
As Father Orthoduck was in a certain area of the hospital, he watched a man talking to some of the receptionists. As he watched, by happenstance, a federal (armed) officer came through one door while another man came through another door. The man at the reception counter took one look at the man coming through the other door, turned to the federal officer, and told him that he needed to shoot that man because that man supported Alabama. He did not even need to define what he meant. Everyone listening understood.
And so, there I was faced again with the deepest belief division found in the State of Alabama. Do you support the University of Alabama or the Auburn University football team? All other arguments in this State pale besides that question. Why Democrats and Republicans have even been known to shake hands and share a beer if they support the same team. Nothing withstands that question in this State, “Alabama or Auburn?”
And so, with great trepidation, Father Orthoduck takes a stand on this all-important question, and makes a commitment that will define who he is in the State of Alabama. If you need to ask what the phrase below means, then you have not yet truly understood.
Roll Tide!
Oh no.. are you sure you want to do that? You’ll be offending at least 1/2 the people in the room at all points. Are you certain you don’t want War Eagle? I guess that would be in contrast with your grandchildren, and that is probably not acceptable.
I always took the higher route.. I’d tell people “oh I don’t generally follow college football too much, I go pro”. They were satisfied with that & no one the wiser that I really do not watch football at all (almost a mortal sin). If they happened to ask which pro team (and it did not usually happen, because who cares about pro in AL?) then I’d root for the Browns. Who can hate the Browns?
College rivalries are great fun.
And although my team and rival are in another state, I am saddened by your choice. I have visited the “other” school in your state many times and have come to appreciate it. Therefore, I will pray for you :^)
War Eagle!!!
I’ve come to the conclusion that there are two viable answers for someone who lives in Alabama, but is not from here (I fit this category).
Roll Eagle
War Tide
And I root for the Patriots, which has its own set of issues in a congregation of immigrants from other states.
Welcome to Alabama.
Welcome to the alternate universe of the deep south. 🙂
Well, I’ve been in and out of South Carolina now for about 30 years (mostly in: why? “poor planning”) and I’ve managed to avoid commiting to either Clemson or USC (the one in Columbia, SC). To me, college football is merely the farm system for the pros. Go Packers!
I used to see it that way too, but now I see how the college game (the whole thing- traditions, rivalries, importance of each game, etc …) is just plain better. I have seen the light. :^)
John Armstrong will be proud of you. 🙂
Ugh.
Now I have to unsubscribe from this blog. I can handle the Anglican-Orthodox divisions. But this, sir, strains the bounds of human decency!
WAR EAGLE!
Also, please tell me you were at least brainwashed…er, *raised* this way from childhood. Because nothing induces nausea and an exasperated eyeroll faster from an Auburn fan than meeting yet another bandwagon Bama fan that comes out of the woodwork when things are good. 😉
One of our daughters graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, another has attended there. So, I must support our daughters. GRIN.
Let’s say soccer is the Catholic sport. Along came Luther, sorry, I mean William Webb Ellis, and restored the ancient ways, and created Rugby. However, on this side of the pond, Luthers’ great improvement has been degenrated into many different sects, I mean fanclubs – 20 000 of them at last count? 🙂 🙂
PS – I’m not sure what to make of the Orthodox in this analogy. Aussie Rules, maybe….
Or Canadian rules football. Heh heh
Sounds like you’re in the predicament of the guy in Northern Ireland who’s accosted at gunpoint with the demand “Protestant or Catholic?”
And when he answers “Atheist”, they press the guns to his head and demand “Protestant Atheist or Catholic Atheist?”
All I can say is…..Go ARMY!! Beat Navy…….
“We’ll try to stay serene and calm
When Alabama gets The Bomb!”
— Tom Lehrer, “Who’s Next”