*Auburn University*
There is a head bowed in the locker room of Jordan-Hare stadium moments before kickoff. Although the time for prayer has come and gone with the rest of his teammates, his head remains bent in mediation. The gladiator sits alone before joining the Tigers in the coliseum, preparing himself for the battle that lies ahead. Although the field is his cathedral, this locker room is his sanctuary. He sits on the bench after his team has already run out onto the field… His pads rest heavy, yet easy. His gloves squeeze tight and the cleats on his feet are bound for wear. His uniform acts as both the sheath for his weapon and the very cause of the war ahead. He reaches down to his right, momentarily breaking the lull, in order to grab hold of his helmet…both the shelter and guardian for his restless mind. As a senior, he has fought in many battles in Auburn, Alabama. Some inside the classroom as a component of a top-class academic institution. And many out on the turf that now awaits him to defend the honor of his Alma Mater. Though his experience is large, the tension that stirs within seems to only grow, never more than today and in this very moment.
Warrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr…EAGLE, HEY!
It rings in his ears daily, never louder than on Gameday. Never sharper than when the Eagle flaps above the field, a premonition for the Tigers who aim to Soar above the Tide.
He hears these words, “War Eagle,”
He hears all the fans who cheer him ahead,
He hears this support and it brings him peace,
But when he thinks of Crimson,
He sees Red.
As he remains seated on the bench, his psyche is uneased, for he still hears voices. He hears the stirring words uttered moments ago from his head coach still wedged in his head. He hears the wise and uplifting words he’s studied from men like George Petrie, “Shug” Jordan, Gene Chizik, and men like Bo who Know how to be successful, and what it means to be an Auburn Tiger.
He can hear the gospel from these wise men,
Men from the Navy and Orange who have led,
He hears these words and it brings him peace,
But when he thinks of Crimson,
He sees Red.
The crowd is as anxious as he. He can already hear the cheer of “Bodda Getta,” and it brings him calm; it brings him comfort, but such thoughts are interrupted by Crimson, and when such thoughts emerge,
He sees Red.
And he has heard the many cheers during the Tiger walk…Days when the team was on their way to meet the Bulldogs of Georgia. And always at the first glimpse of Black,
Immediately,
He sees Red.
And today, as he prepares to meet the Tide full force, he stands at once, and pulls on his helmet. He snaps up and before exiting the locker room, he leaves one final thought in this sacred room:
Someone better tell the damn Tide—the only thing that will be rolling tonight:
Will be the trees of Toomer’s Corner.
He then runs out onto the field to join his brigade. Surrounded by the deafening screams by the thousands.
But in the midst of the Tide he drowns everything out. All that remains:
War
War
War
His marching orders come from the school—all in attendance;
&
They sound independently inside his head:
Soar High over the Tide
War Damn Eagle
Destroy
Destroy
Destroy
From Alma Mater Vol. 4: The South
You can read the full four-volume Alma Mater collection here.
©2017. Original Clyde Aidoo. All rights reserved
Original Clyde Aidoo 