Florida Fans

by Bamagrad on Dec 7, 2008 1:37 PM CST

Losing the SEC championship is never easy, but I'd like to say that the Florida fans I've encountered in person and through the internet have been the classiest opposing fans I've ever encountered. After every Bama game I surf the net for stories and as soon as I'm finished with the article I read the comments.

I have seen so many gracious, complimentary, and respectful comments by Florida fans that I felt obligated to point out their class. I seriously doubt most of these folks would be any different had Alabama won yesterday.

Good luck, Gators. It was hard to lose yesterday, but you guys are all right in my book.

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Good post, good point

It’s hard to lose to somebody and then respect them. Florida owned that. Good job. Roll Tide.

Never quit. It is the easiest cop-out in the world.

by gorjus on Dec 7, 2008 2:31 PM CST reply actions

Agree

I was leaving the Dome really angry and was pleasantly surprised at the engaging conversation and overall class of the Florida fans.

I look forward to similar annual meetings in Atlanta for years to come.

"That's the paradox of success. The moment you stop to enjoy it, you are in trouble. You have to keep moving forward. It's not what you have done that's important. It's where you are going."
— Alabama coach Nick Saban

by DJackson on Dec 7, 2008 3:23 PM CST reply actions

I agree, for the most part

the funny thing, is it is mostly Auburn fans who are showing no class. Then again, what do you expect?

I would also like to say I was pleasantly surprised at our fans who showed at the airport last night. We have some fans who have dissappointed me in the last 24 hours, but fans like these that make up most of our fan base are the real backbone of this fandom and this program. I know it should those boys getting off that plane that they are loved and appreciated.

ROLL TIDE 4-EVER!

"With a girl - I-HOP; with the guys - Waffle House; with a girl you are pulling wingman on - Taco Bell." Comer, on his favorite place to eat at 3 a.m.

by BamaReturns07 on Dec 7, 2008 4:58 PM CST reply actions

Yep

totally agree. As somebody whos lived in florida my whole life til now, Gators fans are a pretty classy bunch. I think it might be because they also love pro football more than any other legit SEC team.

Whatever the reason is, theyre a cool bunch and I’ll be happy to root for them any time they arent playing the mighty Tide.

im not impressed with your performance

by troy145 on Dec 7, 2008 6:37 PM CST reply actions

Agreed.

I was proud of both fan bases as the game yesterday. In fact, the only Gator to rub anything in was Tim Tebow.

by bamabrian on Dec 7, 2008 7:37 PM CST reply actions

Different perspective.

The Florida fan I was sitting in front of jumped on my head when they scored their last TD. It was not an accident. Also the Florida fan sitting next to our group was pretty vile. Of course he was so drunk he didn’t know what he was doing.

And Tebow is not humble guy at all nor a gracious winner. I hope he doesn’t go pro. This was just round one, round two is next Dec. We can and will get better by next year. Since Tebow is already superman I don’t think he can improve.

by 5026 on Dec 7, 2008 8:06 PM CST reply actions

I am giving myself

one week to hate UF and its fans…..

After that ill suck it up but till then….i hate them all!!!

When you are an Alabama fan you have to hate Auburn, I hate Tennessee because i want to.

by bammer on Dec 7, 2008 8:07 PM CST reply actions

Speaking of fans

My son showed me a u tube pic of toomers corner after the loss, seems the barners rolled it in celebration, what class.

by ajbama on Dec 8, 2008 9:41 AM CST reply actions

Why...

…would that surprise you? Auburn always gets more enjoyment out of Alabama losing, than seeing Auburn win. It was why the streak was so important to Auburn; Alabama lost to Auburn. It really is one of the oddest things I have ever witnessed. The enjoyment that Auburn fans get out of an Alabama loss, is 10 times anything they feel when Auburn wins a game.

by Kenny483 on Dec 8, 2008 9:53 AM CST up reply actions

Totally agree with the AU comments

The hardcore AU fans that I know actually hate UA more than they like AU. It is just crazy. Little brother complex that we as Bama fans will never know.

I wouldn't piss off the boys from Alabama . . .

by I hate UT on Dec 8, 2008 10:30 AM CST reply actions

Thanks for the post

When I saw the headline, I was thinking “oh no, here we go again.” I am glad to see that you were all treated with respect and sportsmanship. Sometimes the whole bunch gets a bad rap because of the conduct of a few idiots. I’ll chalk 5026’s experience up to a couple of the idiots, but since he claims Tebow is neither humble nor gracious, I think I am probably being a little generous with him.

While I have never had any problem with Alabama fans in the past – this Saturday was certainly no exception. Alabama fans are knowledgable about their team, the SEC and football in general. You are also a classy bunch. I think I can say the “Annual Bama-Gator Classic in Atlanta” is back for a while.

p.s. I am enjoying Bammer’s logo this week…

by skigator93 on Dec 8, 2008 10:32 AM CST reply actions

Agree...

…with most of everyone else’s comments. We had a great time tailgating for the game, and had a lot of Florida fans around us. In general it has been my experience that fans that travel, either away games or neutral site games, are generally the most courteous of fans. My only negative experience with other fans has always been at opposing stadiums.

No one else is enjoying bammer’s avatar. Damn it!

by Kenny483 on Dec 8, 2008 10:46 AM CST up reply actions

yes and bammer

hates it as well…..stupid bomb on 1st down!

When you are an Alabama fan you have to hate Auburn, I hate Tennessee because i want to.

by bammer on Dec 8, 2008 11:47 AM CST up reply actions

What's with the current pic?

Y’all look happy together.

Clutch: A measurement of how much better or worse a player does in high leverage situations than he would have done in a context neutral environment. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/glossary/

by bdalebs on Dec 8, 2008 4:54 PM CST up reply actions

i think i was about to be

banned if i kept the one you gave me….

When you are an Alabama fan you have to hate Auburn, I hate Tennessee because i want to.

by bammer on Dec 8, 2008 6:14 PM CST up reply actions

That's cool.

by bdalebs on Dec 9, 2008 4:17 PM CST up reply actions

I'm a riverboat gambler when it comes to sports.

And way too much of a homer to let the chance for that bet to pass.

by bdalebs on Dec 8, 2008 4:53 PM CST up reply actions

They Pelted Alabama Fans with Sugar

Apparently they are not all good sports.

http://blog.al.com/rapsheet/2008/12/why_utah_is_the_sugar_bowl_opp.html#more

by CJackson on Dec 8, 2008 11:36 AM CST reply actions

I wonder where that was?

Granted I coudln’t see the entire Dome from my seats, but geez. The blurb makes it sound like it was a concerted effort by UF fans. It really doesn’t even makes sense to me at all.

Regardless, I am sure that there were plenty of jackasses out there being poor sports, but I am hopeful that this string shows that to be the isolated incident.

In follow-up to Kenny’s comment above, I think the high ticket price might have also kept some of the low-life fans away from the game….

by skigator93 on Dec 8, 2008 12:52 PM CST up reply actions

I am disappointed to see that...

My experience with the Florida fans was very good. We stayed at a hotel by the airport that had both UF and BAMA people. We rode on the MARTA to the Dome with Gator fans and everyone was cordial. After the game, very few were rubbing it in. Most said “great game” and “you had us worried”. There was a lot of the cheer “It’s great. to. be. a. Florida Gator”, but we were louder with “It’s great. to. be. from. Alabama”.

On Sunday, I drove to Tampa from Atlanta straight through Gator country. A lot of Gator fans were returning to Gainesville, so I was clearly outnumbered. My car is crimson with #12 helmet magnets, BAMA magnets and an Alabama license plate holder, plus I had 3 flags proudly flying. Only 3 cars did a little jabbing at me. One honked, one almost came into my lane so close to make sure I saw all the Gator stuff on his car, and one gave me the Gator Chop.

Gator fans that were here before the game(skigator93 especially) brought good conversation to the site and most comments after the game have been appreciated. There’s always a few trolls after a game like this, but nothing to get that upset over.

I didn’t hate the Gators before the game and I’m glad I didn’t have an experience to make me hate them after. We held our own against a great team and could have won it, but had a few mistakes that cost us the game. I am just as proud of my team as the Gators are of theirs even though we did not take home the trophy. I hope Tebow stays so we can have a rematch next year. Keep the NC in the SEC, Florida.

"I hate everything orange"
It's all about Crimson - ROLL TIDE!!!

by bamavicki on Dec 8, 2008 9:21 PM CST up reply actions