Saw a car this morning

[RocketDawg]

that I thought was a state trooper car ... dark blue Crown Victoria or the Mercury version. And it seemed to have patrol decals on the doors, and something was sticking up from the roof.<div>
</div><div>As I got closer, I saw what it was ... huge Alabama decals on the doors, and ones on the hood and trunk that were so big they just about covered them up. And the thing sticking up from the top was an Alabama flag.</div><div>
</div><div>That was about the craziest looking thing I've ever seen. The Bama fans here are insane.</div>

 

[BigMotherTucker]

In Meridian.</p>

 

[TUSK.sixpack]

most don't know a whole lot about the Tide, though...

 

[BigMotherTucker]

in Meridian. By my guess, Bama fans outnumber State, Southern, and Ole Miss fans here. I have a MAJOR hang up about Mississippians being Bama fans. We have three God damn universities to 17ing choose from. Nut up, choose one, and root like hell for them. I work with a guy that I give a constant rashion of **** over the fact that he was born and raised in Kemper Co and not only never attended college in the State of Alabama buthas never set foot in Tuscaloosa or Bryant Denny Stadium. This guy claims to be a "Big Bama Fan". ********. But back to my original point, how in the hell can a Mississippian be a fan of a school outside of their state? It boggles my 17ing mind...

</p>

 

[TUSK.sixpack]

except for the bandwagon types... those cats are jackasses. but I also don't think attending the school should be a prerequisite to being a fan...<div>
</div><div>for the record, my family is all from Bama, I was born just across the line in MS, but grew up in Bama, attended UA & my dad brainwashed me from birth....</div>

 

[spacecataz]

born and raised in the Delta, around Cleveland. Lives and works in Starkville now but has never even been to a Bama game nor toTuscaloosa. Apartment adorned with Bama paraphernalia, wears his Wal-Marks Bama tees and hoodies every chance he gets...you know. I asked him one day out of legitimate curiosity (not trying to stir the pot) why he rooted for Alabama. "Just do. 13 National Championships? What is there left to say? Always been a die hard Bama fan!"

Me: "What would you doif Bama went 3, 4, 5 or so seasons with 4 wins or less?"...

Neighbor: "Shoot. That'd never happen. I bleed crimson!".....something like that.

I understand it's human nature to want to belong to a particular group of people, and I guess I can understand where people like him come from. I was once a rabid fanatic of the Miami Hurricanes around 1990 when they were badass and ranked #1 in the nation - I was also 12 years old. I guess subconsciously I was seeking out respect and attention because of my "allegiance" to a superior team. It gets on my last nerve to see all of these grown *** people born and raised in Mississippi jumping on the LSU and Bama bandwagons for what I assume are the same reasons.

 

[BigMotherTucker]

That attending the university shouldnt be a prerequisite. One semester at MSU Meridian doesn't make me an alum, but obviously I am a huge State fan. You're not the kind of fan I'm talking about... I'm talking about the ******* who was born in '76, lived three houses down from me in Lauderdale co, went to the same highschool as me, went to MCC with me, and works at Everywhere Inc Meridian. This is the guy who calls State fans "red necks" and feels better than us (socially speaking) all because he calls himself a "huge Bama fan". I expect that from Ole Miss fans. Its part of our rivalry. (incedentally, I work with some of the trashiest OM fans who looooove to come in and talk about the "talent" in the groooove. I think its funny that they couldnt pullthat kind of talent in with a$100 billsticking out of their zipper) But for a guy who comes from the same area andsocial circles to root for Bama and that autimatically makes him better than me... Well 17 him... That **** pisses me off... Your from Mississippi man.. If you're going to be a 17ing prick, root for Ole Miss not Bama.

Edit: shouldnt be a prerequisite.... Not should.

 

[Moonlight Graham]

I grew up in a different state....went to school at MSU and have never resided in Mississippi other than when I was in school. I'm in the bulldog club..buy season tickets and make it back to campus whenever I can. For the record, I can't stand the sidewalk Bama fans b/c they are annoying as hell but if they have a degree from Bama I have no problem with what state they live in. Makes sense to me anyways.

 

[spacecataz]

I delete

 

[BigMotherTucker]

why would any person on the planet be a State, OM, Southern fan if they weren't from the great state of Mississippi. Its a heavy cross to bear to root for one of our teams. That being said, you obviously have a huge interest in Mississippi State seeing as how you graduated from there. Also, don't be confused... I have no issue if a non Mississippian wants to be a State fan (God help that poor soul). My issue is Mississippians blindly following teams that do not represent their state. What kind of pride does a Mississippian in Meridian, MS feel when Nick Saban is touring the Walmarks of Alabama with the National Championship trophy? When they take the trophy home to Tuscaloosa Alabama (who's home? Not their home... They live in 17ing Mississippi).

Anyway... Enough of that rant..lol

 

[BigMotherTucker]

to be clear. I would have no issue with the fan in my example if he or she had any real life personal interest in the University of Alabama ie. actually attending school there. My issue is the average Joe Schmuckatelli, with no ties to UofA (for example), choosing to root for them over one of the three fine Universities in our beautiful state.</p>

 

[FlabLoser]

Every Christmas a guy in my subdivision spells roll tide in Christmas tree lights across his roof.

 

[HammerOfTheDogs]

Ole Miss is much farther away, and USM is only a little bit closer. The same way a lot of Coasties are fans of LSU and Florida State.

 

[RipleyReb.sixpack]

It aggravates the piss out of me when people claim to be fans of out of state schools when they've never even stepped foot on campus. If you have no vested interest in a particular school, why would you choose to support one not in your home state?

 

[BigMotherTucker]

from Meridian than Starkville. Thats not the point. My point is having a little bit of state pride.

 

[MaroonedNdaRock]

Columbus is about the same way. I would sayitwas around 50/50 on State/Alabama fans back 15 years ago. Hell, there may be more Alabama fans now with the two recent NCs. But yearh........it really chaps my tail too. Just think how many more fans would beat our games, wearing our garb, creating a positive enviroment. So, the kids coming up may just choose State over Alabama on occassion.

The culture in MS really sucks in that regard. I am sorry guys but it is the truth. It doesn't matter the proximityfrom Meridian or Columbus to Tuscaloosa or the coast to Baton Rogue. Mississippians in general are raised thinking,elsewhere is better. So,when it comes to sports, they have no sense of following the state teams.

Arkansas.......I was really, really impressed with that state in this regard. You can go to the arm pit of America, West Memphis. What a &^*( hole that is.......butany store you go in (5.5 hours from Fayetteville) hasHog clothing and etc and everyone there has a Hog hat or tshirt or car tag. Not Ole Miss, not UT, not Memphis but Hog. 90% of the people you meet anywhere in that state,doesn't matterif they went to college or not, love the Razorbacks. Yeah, you got a few LSU fans on the boarder in S. Ark and a few Texas fans in Texarkana and a few Oklahoma fans near Ft. Smith/Fayetteville but people who are raised in those areas, are Arkansas fans.

Not in Columbus......raised in Columbus, went to school in Columbus but they are Alabama fans. Like it was mentioned, if Alabama is so damn great........82 is wide open going east. So is highway 12, 50, 69 and so on.

 

[Goat Grindin]

and sheep want to follow winners no matter the reason, mainly like you said before, for self-esteem reasons.<div>
</div><div>If MSU or Ole Miss would produce a winner for a sustained period of time, many of the sidewalk Mississippians would follow MSU or Ole Miss. Ole Miss had alot of sidewalk fans back in the 60's, I know more than a few State fans (who attended after) who said that EVERYBODY was on the rebel bandwagon back in those days.</div><div>
</div><div>Look at the following that Southern has amassed, and they are a school in a crap conference with small resources. They hurt MSU/Ole Miss as much or more than Bama does. Of course, the main foe of MSU/OM is themselves.</div><div>
</div><div>State pride is getting better though. People are starting to stand up, and people are moving back.</div>

 

[SwampDawg]

wears the jerseys, flags on the pickup. I got a blank look and a minute of confusion when I asked him would he be such a fan if they won one or two a year. Since "the game" he has been somewhat subdued.