LSU fans to mock Crimson Tide tradition at game
Jason Galloway
Contributing Writer
Issue date: 10/31/07 Section: News
The Houndstooth hat that legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant wore while pacing the sidelines for the Alabama football team may be the trademark symbol of the Crimson Tide's tradition, and LSU fans plan to don a mockery of it Saturday when the No. 3 Tigers travel to Tuscaloosa.
An article printed in Friday's issue of The Daily Reveille, LSU's student newspaper, featured three students who purchased 60 houndstooth hats and decorated them with a purple band around the outside of the hat and a yellow feather through the band.
"There is no better idea than to put purple and gold on a Paul 'Bear' Bryant hat and have the whole student section wearing them," LSU junior Nathan Roy told The Daily Reveille.
Roy and two friends - junior Mustafa Mohammad and senior Hussien Mohammad - are selling their hats for $25 on Facebook.com Marketplace and are trying to encourage other LSU students to make their own hats.
"The houndstooth hats are clearly an Alabama tradition," said Sarah Shea, a freshman majoring in elementary education. "For [LSU] fans to be wearing them means they are having to use our tradition instead of having their own."
Bryant won six national championships and 13 SEC championships in his 25 years as head coach at Alabama and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986.
"This just shows a lack of respect by LSU fans," said Allen Roberts, a freshman majoring in criminal justice.
Roy told The Daily Reveille that his Facebook group has attracted some attention from trash-talking Alabama fans who are angered by the hats. He said at least 30 Alabama students were in the group before he banned them for creating a fuss.
"It is classless of LSU fans to disgrace a great ball coach like that," said Hunter Spurgeon, a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering.
It is doubtful whether the reaction to these hats on game day will be pleasant, and there is no telling what extent Alabama fans may go to display their displeasure.
"It will be all-around pandemonium, and Alabama fans will not be happy," said Lake Koelling, a junior in majoring in communications.
This is Koelling's first year at Alabama after transferring from the University of Alaska-Southeast.
"I think if we end up losing by 17 and LSU fans start waving the hats in Alabama fans' faces, we could see some fist fights," Koelling said.
Hussien Mohammad told The Daily Reveille that he carries a model hat in his car to promote the idea and has been spreading the word by talking to other fans. He said his goal is to have everyone in LSU's student section wear the hats on Saturday in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
"All they will be leaving with are those hats and a loss. I wouldn't be too proud of either," said Wes Hawkins, a sophomore majoring in electrical and computer engineering.
An article printed in Friday's issue of The Daily Reveille, LSU's student newspaper, featured three students who purchased 60 houndstooth hats and decorated them with a purple band around the outside of the hat and a yellow feather through the band.
"There is no better idea than to put purple and gold on a Paul 'Bear' Bryant hat and have the whole student section wearing them," LSU junior Nathan Roy told The Daily Reveille.
Roy and two friends - junior Mustafa Mohammad and senior Hussien Mohammad - are selling their hats for $25 on Facebook.com Marketplace and are trying to encourage other LSU students to make their own hats.
"The houndstooth hats are clearly an Alabama tradition," said Sarah Shea, a freshman majoring in elementary education. "For [LSU] fans to be wearing them means they are having to use our tradition instead of having their own."
Bryant won six national championships and 13 SEC championships in his 25 years as head coach at Alabama and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986.
"This just shows a lack of respect by LSU fans," said Allen Roberts, a freshman majoring in criminal justice.
Roy told The Daily Reveille that his Facebook group has attracted some attention from trash-talking Alabama fans who are angered by the hats. He said at least 30 Alabama students were in the group before he banned them for creating a fuss.
"It is classless of LSU fans to disgrace a great ball coach like that," said Hunter Spurgeon, a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering.
It is doubtful whether the reaction to these hats on game day will be pleasant, and there is no telling what extent Alabama fans may go to display their displeasure.
"It will be all-around pandemonium, and Alabama fans will not be happy," said Lake Koelling, a junior in majoring in communications.
This is Koelling's first year at Alabama after transferring from the University of Alaska-Southeast.
"I think if we end up losing by 17 and LSU fans start waving the hats in Alabama fans' faces, we could see some fist fights," Koelling said.
Hussien Mohammad told The Daily Reveille that he carries a model hat in his car to promote the idea and has been spreading the word by talking to other fans. He said his goal is to have everyone in LSU's student section wear the hats on Saturday in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
"All they will be leaving with are those hats and a loss. I wouldn't be too proud of either," said Wes Hawkins, a sophomore majoring in electrical and computer engineering.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 37
Stephen
posted 10/31/07 @ 9:52 AM CST
This is typical of how classless LSU fans are and why they have the reputation of being the rudest fans in all of college football. It's time for the Bama fans to step up and show nothing but class (win or lose) this weekend in and around Bryant-Denny Stadium. (Continued…)
Angie
posted 10/31/07 @ 1:07 PM CST
I agree Stephen. I live in Louisiana and have been abused all week with emails, jokes, etc. from LSU fans. I do, however keep my cool. There is even a song they are playing here which is a remake of sweet home alabama, but of course for LSU. (Continued…)
Intellidouche
posted 10/31/07 @ 1:21 PM CST
I think a funny thing would be for every Bama student to bring a corndog to the game. When LSU runs onto the field the students will raise the corndogs into the air. (Continued…)
Barbara - BSIE '82
posted 10/31/07 @ 2:07 PM CST
Will the University of Alabama student section have the Class and Pride to show Respect for the LSU players and fans? not to boo when their players enter the field? This is what wearing that houndstooth hat means - Class and Respect for yourself, your team, *and* the opposing team. (Continued…)
Derrek
posted 10/31/07 @ 4:11 PM CST
Yes, because all terrorists are named Mohammad. Woohoo for being racist and bigots.
Bruce
posted 10/31/07 @ 5:07 PM CST
Calm down 'Bama fans, you should feel confident about the tradition and not care who modifies it. After all, it's your tradition and no body elses. The outrage just shows the world how insecure you are about the hat. (Continued…)
Bruce
posted 10/31/07 @ 5:13 PM CST
Calm down 'Bama fans, you should feel confident about the tradition and not care who modifies it. After all, it's your tradition and no body elses. The outrage just shows the world how insecure you are about the hat. (Continued…)
Come on
posted 10/31/07 @ 8:11 PM CST
Come on. LSU fans are just trying to have fun. This is in no way disrespectful. They are just wearing hats with a little purple and gold added to it. What about the T-shirts that some Alabama students made that say "TIGERS BLEAUX". (Continued…)
Walrus
posted 11/01/07 @ 9:53 AM CST
I assume that LSU will have more than 60 students in Tuscaloosa for this game on Saturday. To me, this sounds like nothing more than a waste of money for these kids. (Continued…)
CarolB
posted 11/01/07 @ 11:10 AM CST
I think the pimping up of an honored tradition (perversion for profit by three insignificant little snots) says it all for lack of class. Win or lose, I am proud of the football tradition that is THE ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE! You might check your history (how many championships????) and your BLUE AND WHITE marks from this year before you get so self righteous LSU>
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