Alabama: Perception Is In the Eye of the Beholder

What's your perception?

    

      I was once told by a not so good employer that “perception is in the eye of the beholder.” And though this guy was downright incompetent (he got a big promotion for his incompetence by the way), he was spot on there. Today, I am taking a break from Auburn Basketball here at the Big Blue Bagel to address that notion, as it relates to something not so dear to our hearts: Alabama. Specifically, Alabama Fans. Even more specific, Alabama Football fans. Because quite frankly, I am not even sure they know they have basketball team, even though they are in the Top25. To quote Pat Dye, “Alabama fans love Alabama Football. Auburn fans love Auburn.”

Most of us now, unaffectionately use the term “Updykes,” synonymous with demented 60-something year old from Dadeville, whose cowardice act sent shockwaves not only through The Plains, but the nation, when referring to this subculture of fans. That term, even tongue in cheek draws a negative reaction from everyone of them that I know.

I jokingly used the term to a self-avowed Updyke - I mean Alabama fan from my church - who promptly told me off in a real Christian way, then defriended me from Facebook (boo-hoo)! Another so called fan and Facebook friend, jumped in and said that the term was really offensive and was not representative of their fan base.

So just when I think, well maybe, just maybe the old Bagel is being too hard on them, comes the latest breaking news. It seems that they have now, ruffled the feather of fellow SEC friend and foe LSU, and nation again, as several of their fans accosted verbally, physically, and sexually accosted an incapacitated LSU fan at a Krystal restaurant in New Orleans during the BCS revelry earlier this month. The video went viral and was pulled from YouTube but can now be found at Dead Spin. Prepare yourself to be disgusted if you venture that way.

I am not naïve enough to think that every fan base is not enmeshed with some level of insanity, but perhaps no other fan base garners more attention than the Updyke Nation when it comes to unthinkable, irrational behavior in the name of sportsmanship and goodwill.

Again, I was ready to give them a pass, thinking that this was just another isolated incident of sophomoric behavior turned criminal but then it happened. My own personal experience with a random Updyke. There I was, closing down a workout in the gym this morning, wearing an Auburn Basketball Under Armour shirt. As I was lunging towards my finishing point of a grueling leg workout, a guy I had never seen before - a New Year’s member I suppose - was frantically pointing to his shirt. As I drew closer it read “Got 14?” Let me just say, my eyes have beheld all they can.