SEC Football

In 3 days the Alabama Crimson Tide kick off their 2011 Football season in Byrant Denny Stadium. To say I am excited is an understatement.
I.LOVE.FOOTBALL. I especially love Alabama Football.

One of the earliest memories I have as a child is being in Clanton, AL at my grandparents house watching their floor TV. Bo Jackson was running up the field. I was excited because I knew he was a big player because I had heard my granddaddy and daddy talking about him. I was cool- I knew it.
I cherish this memory. One of the funniest memories I have is of me getting in trouble.
It was shortly before my parents and us kids moved to Birmingham, AL from Montgomery, AL. We lived at Eden East Apartments. Alabama had just lost a huge game. I remember getting in trouble because I ran outside to the porch and yelled at a neighbor to, "Shut up." as he celebrated the win. It must have been an Iron Bowl game or he was a TN fan.

My family has always revolved around football. Whether it be pee wee football for my brothers, cheer leading for me or going to the high school football games to watch my cousin. He was the kicker for Jeff Davis. Once we were in high school, outside of the mall- it was the place to go to see and be seen. I mean, come on, how else would you be invited to the get together after the games?
Unfortunately, we were never invited and most times ended up at Waffle House with our parents. Looking back, it wasn't that bad of an experience. At the time though, my world was completely ruined and over.

Now though, football is a coming together of old friends. It is a time of the year we can see my father in law and brother in law at the games in Auburn, a time when the weather is turning cooler and chili is cooking in the crock pot. A time to celebrate and cry with our team and Bama Nation.

Alabama football also holds a special place for me because it was the Sunday after the 2007 Arkansas game I found out I was expecting. We had been to On Tap with a girlfriend that night and came home celebrating a victory, barely! John Parker Wilson had pulled it off right down to the wire.The following day, after church, I realized I was nauseated and craving some strange items. So, once we were home I took a test. The outcome of that forever changed our lives.

So this coming Saturday- at 11:00am- we will sit in our living room listening to Eli Gold as he announces the 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide kick off game against Kent State. We will snack on pigs in a blanket, fire crackers and rotel dip while enjoying cold beers. We will yell, ROLL TIDE ROLL and sing, Yea Alabama. As Richardson runs down the field, I will sit in my recliner and yell, "Go, baby, Go!!!" while Matt laughs at me. Ethan will run up to the TV yelling, "Hit him. Get him." as he did last season.

Most importantly, we will begin making new memories for our family, most importanly, with our family.