Alabama has a long history with elephants.
The elephant is the mascot of the University of Alabama, and is affectionately known as Big Al. The university’s athletic teams are known as the Crimson Tide, and Big Al’s official name is Big Al The Elephant. There are many theories about how the elephant became associated with Alabama football, but there’s no denying that they’re a beloved part of the team’s history. Here’s a look at why Alabama has an elephant for a mascot.
Where did Alabama get its Elephant?
According to one legend, in 1907 there was an actual circus elephant named Tusko who was brought to campus to entertain students. When Tusko died on campus, he was stuffed and mounted by local taxidermists. In another version of this story, Tusko was actually shot on campus by disgruntled farmers who were angry that their crops had been trampled by Tusko during his escape from captivity.
How did it become associated with football?
In 1926 students organized a football club called “The Elephant Stompers.” By 1927 this club had become known as “The Red Elephants,” which eventually evolved into “The Crimson Tide.” The earliest reference to an actual elephant mascot comes from 1929 when Birmingham Post writer Hugh Roberts referred to Alabama’s new crimson elephant mascot in his column.
Other versions of the story claim that after the Red Elephants were established in 1927, they became known as the Red Elephants due to their red jerseys and white pants resembling an actual elephant.
However it happened, one thing is certain: since its inception at Alabama in 1927, every student at UA has worn red when cheering on their Crimson Tide.
