Why is Alabama's mascot an elephant?

[Ohiogal]

Since their team is called the Crimson Tide?

[hlthe2b]

1. Because decades ago a fan yelled to "hold your horses, the elephants are coming" and it stuck..

though they didn't adopt the elephant as mascot until long after.

I do love elephants, but give me my bulldawgs any day....

[underpants]

2. The Elephant Story

"At the end of the quarter, the earth started to tremble, there was a distant rumble that continued to grow. Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped this Alabama varsity.

"It was the first time that I had seen it and the size of the entire eleven nearly knocked me cold, men that I had seen play last year looking like they had nearly doubled in size."

Strupper and other writers continued to refer to the Alabama linemen as "Red Elephants," the color referring to the crimson jerseys.

https://rolltide.com/sports/2016/6/10/trads-elephant-html.aspx

Similar story with the University of Richmond mascot - the Spiders


Star pitcher Puss Ellyson's lanky arms and stretching kick confused batters to such an extent that Richmond Times-Dispatch writer Ragland Chesterman used the name of that clever creeping insect, the Spider, to fittingly describe the erudite members of the team. So was created perhaps the most unique school nickname in the nation. To this day, the University of Richmond is the only school in the country which sports the nickname "Spiders."

https://richmondspiders.com/sports/2015/5/21/205184175.aspx

[Glorfindel]

4. The things you learn from fellow DU'ers! Thanks, underpants.

I had always assumed (what little I ever thought about it) that the mascot was an elephant because an elephant is a "tusker" and the University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa. Naturally, a native of Alabama would pronounce "tusker" as "tuska," so the mascot is born.

I am required, however, as a native of the great state of Georgia, to detest the Crimson Tide. Go, Dawgs!

[Ohiogal]

3. Thank you!

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

5. Why is their football team named after an algae that kills fish?

Besides, they are not even close to the ocean.

As far as the elephant goes, that's so they'll have long memories for stuff like this:

Setup: 2013 Iron Bowl, Alabama and Auburn are tied 28-28. Alabama has the ball with one second on the clock. They send out a freshman kicker who has already missed three field goals to attempt a 56 yard kick. When his kick falls short into the end zone, this happens:

Auburn fan here.

[Whiskeytide]

6. I always ask my Auburn friends (and I have ...

... quite a few) if it has any adverse effects on their physiology or neurology. When they ask me “what are you talking about”, I say “the time travel. Does it hurt going back to 2013 all the time?”

Roll Tide!

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

9. Look at the play again--Auburn won.

Here's the reactions of a divided family (Auburn fans wear orange, Alabama fans wear red and white). It starts with excited Alabama fans and subdued Auburn ones, and then the situation is reversed.

Auburn supporters will never forget this play; Alabama ones have probably undergone electroshock therapy to remove it from their memories.

[SCantiGOP]

7. "Crimson Tide"

Came from a line dropped years ago by a radio announcer. The Bama O line was pushing the other team back on every play and he referred to them as a Crimson Tide.

[ArizonaLib]

10. Keith Jackson

I think it went something to the effect of 'Like a tide rolling' - possibly was 'like a crimson tide rolling'. I bet youtube has it up somewhere.

Grew up listening to Keith Jackson - loved his broadcasting. He gave you both football and excitement, unlike most today who don't talk much football, just filling time with BS, opinions and how excited they are because the players are excited. RIP Mr. Jackson!!!

[Thunderbeast]

8. Groucho Marx always said:

"THE TUSKS ARE LOOSA"