🏈 Fan etiquette

[BamaUte]

I will be attending the FIU game. I'm really looking forward to it. I'm meeting my buddy in Mississippi, and it will be two dudes taking in a great day of football.

I've got two questions: one, I had a spirited debate with my buddy about me wearing a Ute hat with a Bama polo to the game. He says it would be disrespectful, and could cause some unnecessary grief; I want to wear it to not only represent my team, but start conversations with people. It seems like the vast majority of the Bama fans I talk to didn't enjoy the loss, but they have a positive overall impression of the Utes, and the game doesn't bother them that much. How would you guys feel if you saw a Utah hat at the home opener?

Two, what's the best way to experience the pregame environment? I posed this question on another board in a context related to tailgating and food/beer, and the responses caused me to rethink my mental approach.

 

[252BAMA]

I will be attending the FIU game. I'm really looking forward to it. I'm meeting my buddy in Mississippi, and it will be two dudes taking in a great day of football.

I've got two questions: one, I had a spirited debate with my buddy about me wearing a Ute hat with a Bama polo to the game. He says it would be disrespectful, and could cause some unnecessary grief; I want to wear it to not only represent my team, but start conversations with people. It seems like the vast majority of the Bama fans I talk to didn't enjoy the loss, but they have a positive overall impression of the Utes, and the game doesn't bother them that much. How would you guys feel if you saw a Utah hat at the home opener?

Two, what's the best way to experience the pregame environment? I posed this question on another board in a context related to tailgating and food/beer, and the responses caused me to rethink my mental approach.

If your buddy is a Bama fan, and is decked out in Bama gear you will probably be OK.

One of the best times I ever had at a Bama game was a similar situation in 1976. Bama had lost only to Missiouri in 1975, costing them the NC. At the LSU game in B'ham in 1976, my brother and I (both of course Bama fans) wore identical gray sweat shirts. Identical except that mine said "University of Alabama Football" and his said "University of Missiouri Football". He had picked his up in Kansas City where he was stationed in the Marines. Kicker is I was 5'-11"-175 and he was 6'4"-275. So here is this scrawny little Bama football guy with this great big Missiouri football guy. We had a ball with it. Everyone was :lance: at us.

 

[millerkw]

IMHO, I say leave your Ute cap at home and wear it to the Utah games. While at a Bama game, as a Bama fan, You should be decked out with Bama gear. Not that I think you would be given a hard time by most of the Bama fans, it's a matter of showing your respect for the team you're rooting for. And, by the same token, I'd wear only Ute gear to Utah games - not a mixture. But that's only my opinion.

 

[psychojoe]

You might get a little razzing for wearing a Ute hat, but its not likely to be anything vicious, more likely good natured banter.

The pre game tailgating is awesome, and the folks are very hospitable about sharing with out of towners. Depending on how early you get there, be sure and take in the Bryant Museum if you've never seen it. Eat ribs at Dreamland if you get the chance.

 

[Nothing_But_A_Winner00]

The first Bama game I went to was at Miss St in '05. My dad, a rather big guy, wore a bright orange Auburn shirt and we got a lot of funny looks but that's about it. I doubt you'll catch much hell for wearing a hat. It might actually blend in with all the crimson around you more than you think. My buddy wore a Buckeye jersey, coming off the heels of their SEC beatdown in the NC, to A-Day in '08. I thought he might get a little teasing but I think many people didn't pay too much attention to it since it was red.

On a side note, don't wear a Cubs jersey anywhere. My friend I brought to A-Day this year did, and he got jumped on by a White Sox fan decked out in Bama gear.:lol:

 

[son of tradition]

I would say don't wear the Utah hat. My reasoning is that there is always going to be that one guy (you know the drunk *** hole who doesn't care why your wearing it or what your story is, because hes a drunk *** hole. Although the majority of Alabama fans have class there is always the few.

Roll Tide!!!

 

[Pingeye]

My guess is that would probably be better than going nekkid.

 

[BamaDelta]

I think it's respectful enough wearing our shirt. Wear your hat and enjoy it. You deserve it. I don't know you, but unless you plan on starting trouble and being a jerk about the Sugar Bowl no one should say much about your hat.

 

[cartag]

Okay. Here's grandma with her etiquette opinion. Only an opinion though.

A lot depends on how friendly you are. If you are really pulling for the Tide, and everyone can tell it, 99% of Tide fans will forgive you for wearing almost anything. Well, maybe not Tennessee yellow. But with a Bama shirt on, you're okay. You can always stow the Utah cap in the nearest waste receptacle, if you run into that other 1%, and it's necessary for your well-being. Just kidding.:smile:

My son-in-law is from Nebraska. I think he was traumatized by Alabama football in his early childhood. He came here an Auburn fan. Still is. But he married into an Alabama family. He took our two grandsons to Tuscaloosa to an Alabama/Auburn game in his Auburn get-up, cap and all. The little boys were wearing head-to-toe Bama stuff. He had no problem. But he is a big guy.

When you go to the Bryant Museum, look for my father-in-law. His picture is in there a couple of times, but not very big. He played a long time ago, but some people still remember his Cotton Bowl game. Holt Rast, 1941. Consensus All-American. We're still proud.

 

[TWJUA]

As proud of your school/team as you are, I wouldn't do it. It might get conversation going, but it just takes that one bad apple, in the bar or heck, anywhere, that might totaly ruin your day. Up to you, but it might be viewed as rubbing it in people's face.

 

[planomateo]

I will be attending the FIU game. I'm really looking forward to it. I'm meeting my buddy in Mississippi, and it will be two dudes taking in a great day of football.

I've got two questions: one, I had a spirited debate with my buddy about me wearing a Ute hat with a Bama polo to the game. He says it would be disrespectful, and could cause some unnecessary grief; I want to wear it to not only represent my team, but start conversations with people. It seems like the vast majority of the Bama fans I talk to didn't enjoy the loss, but they have a positive overall impression of the Utes, and the game doesn't bother them that much. How would you guys feel if you saw a Utah hat at the home opener?

Two, what's the best way to experience the pregame environment? I posed this question on another board in a context related to tailgating and food/beer, and the responses caused me to rethink my mental approach.

how big are you...

i think you wear what you want...no way in hell I will wear another college teams colors (unless my kids choose to go to somewhere different - but there are a few colors I will NEVER wear regardless). Now if my kids go to Texas and end up playing sports, I will gladly wear something very small in burnt orange gear, but i'll also sport some bama wear too

of course I'm 6'5" 250lbs...this usually deters most of the idiots

 

[cartag]

Oh second thought, what you need is several Bama fans as friends. Make friends first, then bring out the cap.

 

[BamaUte]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. Because I am 6'0 and 145 soaking wet, and I want to avoid all semblance of trouble, I won't sport a Utah hat.

 

[Crimson13Tide]

IDK if you're going to the game alone. Wear the cap! You're not going to an LSU game where you might get killed. Yes, there might be those 2 or 3 guys we wish weren't Alabama fans there that might give you a hard time, but I promise they will be severely outnumbered by classy 'Bama fans that will have your back.

Our most recent A-Day game? ONE single Tenuhsay fan in a Vols jersey showed up with a sign pleading for help as he was "stuck behind enemy lines". He left the game unharmed.

Wear your hat or disown the Utes.

 

[planomateo]

Wear your hat or disown the Utes.

+1

 

[Kozlowski]

Wear the hat! Take in the quad for pregame.