25 comments

  1. Sherron Hayes

    I’m not a bama fan … But I like the first one better!

  2. Paul Poag

    Being a Bama fan for 55 years, I have always gone with the University of Alabama’s explanation.1930..Wallace Wade was the Head coach.The elephant name was first given to them by the sports writer from Atlanta. This is also documented in the Bear Bryant Museum & the University Archives. Roll Tide!

    1. Valerie Lackey

      I guess all the believers of the first story have never been to a BAMA game. The thundering feet when they enter the stadium is enough for me to know where the name comes from. Roll Tide Roll

  3. Jeremiah McMinn

    I’ve always assumed the 2nd of the two stories. The first always seemed to me like it was a little rude. I’m sure that even if the reporter did make a mistake in thinking that the elephants were a mascot that the southern gentleman of Alabama would not have made it clear that the luggage was a gift. It just seems… A bit off. It would be somewhat unprofessional to talk about someone’s mistake as being what created the mascot. I just think Alabama has more tradition than that.

  4. William Nabors

    Always thought the first one was the correct write up. RTR!!!

  5. Deborah Wallace

    Interesting read

  6. Vanessa Williams

    I like to think that the second story is true… True strength and dominance, even back then!!! RTR!!!

  7. Jeremy Britt

    Lame! Lol. This was one deciding factor when i was kid on who to pull for. I read up on both teams, but fell in love the the story for auburns war eagle tradition

  8. W K Boris Moran

    Yea lame for sure but so is tide

  9. R Daniel Proctor

    Lame elephant still crushes baddest tiger.

  10. [1926 film and vintage pics] Many people say this University of Alabama football game changed the south forever - Alabama Pioneers

    […] of Alabama Grads of 1914 & beginning of future of Bryant-Denny Stadium  What is the true source for the University of Alabama elephant mascot known as Big Al? The day the Birmingham police helped the University of Alabama football mascot retrieve his […]

  11. Gayla Mixon

    How cruel!! Are those chains I see!!!

    1. Joni Collopy

      Yes. Elephants do not belong in captivity, but if they are where they can reach people, they are restrained somehow for human safety.

    2. Gayla Mixon

      How about elephants safety???

    3. Joni Collopy

      That’s another l reason why they don’t belong in captivity.

  12. Bryan Jones

    Erica Jones Pentima

  13. Phyllis Jones

    read these every day

  14. John Kanty

    the second story is the true version.

  15. Linda Grissom

    Fred Grissom

  16. Beth Collier Giddens

    That is very interesting!

  17. Tracy Toney-Grantham

    David Grantham

  18. ROY

    I heard they have an elephant mascot because they are from “Tusk”aloosa!

  19. byi

    The second story sounds a little more believable to me. I agree with Jeremiah, I think tradition runs deep and that makes more sense. Not a fan of seeing chains on the elephants in the pictures.

  20. Madeline C. Bell

    Madeline Pollan

  21. Michael Fosse

    I always liked the idea that it came from the Mark Brothers movie. Where Groucho as Capt. Spalding says:
    “I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got into my pajamas i will never know. We tried to take the tusks out but they were too tight… Of course in Alabama the Tuscaloosa. “

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