Does it get more classic than Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium? Nope.
I visited Tuscaloosa for the first time in 13 years last year. I went to a game at BDS in 2012 a few weeks before moving to Virginia, then I didn’t go to a single SEC game for almost 10 years. Shameful, I know (I did attend several Army Navy games during that time!).
So last year I returned to BDS and man, what an experience. We did all the Bama traditions:
- Breakfast at Waysider, where Bear Bryant used to eat
- The Paul W. Bryant Museum, a fantastic stop to take in the Tide’s history and get hyped up for the game. Bonus, entry is only $5 for adults. Double bonus, I learned that Bear Bryant served in the Navy during WWII
- Denny Chimes, a 115-foot tall tower dedicated in 1929 to George Denny, the University president. It stands on the Quad and is one of the most recognizable landmarks at the university
- The Walk of Champions, to cheer on the team as they arrive at BDS. So fun seeing the players in person
- Fun fact: the two coaches with the most college football national championships both coached at Bama, Nick Saban and Bear Bryant
And the game! Hearing Thunderstruck and Dixieland Delight in person is electric. And Sweet Home Alabama inside BDS? Perfection.
They also welcomed some Marines to the end zone during a timeout, and hearing “USA! USA!” from over 100,000 fans made me so damn happy.
I used to always look for Saban on the sideline (I actually saw him coach his last game at the Rose Bowl in 2024), so looking for DeBoer’s hoodie was fun.
I’ve been focusing on away games the last few years, so it felt amazing to be surrounded by so much crimson and houndstooth all day! And everyone is there for one reason: diehard love for the Tide. There really is nothing like college ball.
Huge thanks to @wick for planning the ultimate game day and letting me passenger princess it.
Roll Tide!