Alabama football cigar tradition, explained

It’s the Third Saturday in October and that means it’s time to refresh your knowledge on the Alabama football cigar tradition when they beat Tennessee.

Tennessee football has not beat rival Alabama since 2006 and that streak was extended with Alabama winning on Saturday.

The Third Saturday in October used to be one of the best rivals in the SEC and college football but since the days of Nick Saban coming to Tuscaloosa, the rivalry has been akin to a hammer and a nail being a rivalry.

When Alabama beats Tennessee, fans, coaches and players alike light up a cigar as is tradition that dates back to 1961.

Explaining the history of the Alabama football cigar tradition

The Tuscaloosa News explained the Alabama football cigar tradition further.

"The story most commonly told traces the tradition to the late Jim Goostree, a longtime Alabama athletic trainer who graduated from Tennessee. Going into the 1961 game, Alabama hadn’t beaten Tennessee since 1954 (there was a 7-7 tie in 1959). Goostree told the team he’d dance naked in the locker room if Alabama won.The Crimson Tide secured a 34-3 win at Birmingham’s Legion Field. Goostree danced while smoking a cigar. Players wanted a cigar to celebrate, too. Longtime Alabama assistant Ken Donahue, another Tennessee alumnus, arrived in 1964 and further stoked the rivalry."

The cigar smoke was billowing throughout Bryant Denny Stadium in the fourth quarter when the Crimson Tide put away the Vols.

If you’re watching from home, it’s time for you to grab your lighter and light your victory cigar.
If you’re a Tennessee fan, your humidor is still fully stocked.

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