Here We Go Again... Football Returns To Birmingham

by Jay Coulter on Jan 28, 2008 6:07 AM CST in News

The beautiful and majestic Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama

By Jay Coulter
jccoulter@gmail.com

I hope you all had a great weekend. I suppose (outside of the Senior Bowl) this was the first weekend since August that neither the college nor pros took the field. I understand there was a basketball game in Tuscaloosa, but we won’t go there.

For what it’s worth, the women did get some vindication by winning at the Capstone on Sunday.

I’m sure a lot of you settled in on Saturday to watch the first All-American Football League draft – or not. Raise your hand if you’ve ever heard of the league.

It’s true. Football is back in Birmingham. The city has had more professional football teams over the past 25 years than Alabama has had coaches – and that’s saying a lot.

This time around the new league will field six teams – Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, Michigan, Texas and Arkansas.

It appears from visiting the league’s web site that the team's colors will be red and white. That’s a piece of marketing genius. Let’s alienate half the audience before we take the field. The Alabama team (there appears to be no nickname as of yet) will play at Legion Field. Despite popular belief, the structure is still standing – barely.

The league is hoping to attract fans by putting in-state former players on the roster. Alabama has eight players on the team while Auburn only has three.

Former Tigers include: Kody Bliss (punter), Karibi Dede (linebacker) and Tre Smith (running back).

Alabama is lead by Freddie Milons (wide receiver) and Saleem Rasheed (linebacker).

The team is coached by Mike Jones, who led NFL Europe’s Frankfurt Galaxy to a World Bowl Championship in 2006. Jones was given the job after former Mississippi State coach Jackie Sherrill turned the team down.

There are a couple of other Auburn connections. The team president is former Auburn great Joe Cribbs. Former Tiger Kurt Crain is an assistant on the team.

Alabama opens its season on April 19th at home against Texas.

It’s hard not to be cynical about this new venture. Will a few former players really drive people to Legion Field on a warm spring day? Haven’t we tried this at least four other times?

My guess is we’ll be talking about the All-American Football League in past tense this time next year.

Tweet Comment 5 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Where to get shot at, in Birmingham.

.....It's definitely in the Legion Field neighborhood. With inadequate parking, and a messed up transit system featuring buses that stall going up hills... Yeah, this league is going to work! Sure! That's the ticket!

.....I hope the Birmingham paper covers them, and that I can listen on a radio station NOT out of Tuscaloosa county, like we get for Auburn broadcasts. Asking a lot, aren't I?

.....I hate that Joe Cribbs is involved in this thing. And Trey Smith is a protected, franchise player? We'll see how this thing plays out, but I don't hold our much hope, either.

by Acid Reign on Jan 29, 2008 8:24 PM CST reply actions

And/or also have your car broken into.

After one Auburn / Alabama game many years ago at Legion Field, my date and I were walking back to our car parked in a neighborhood on the north side of Legion Field, I believe it was. I recall it being somewhat hilly in that neighborhood and as we were turning down a street which we thought would take us to our car, we immediately met about 6 of the "local citizens" doing a number on a car. I distinctly remember 5 guys on watch while one guy was in head first with his feet and legs hanging out, ripping something off,...probably the stereo. When our eyes met, all the "lookouts" puffed themselves up and threw their arms up as if to shoo or scare us off. Needless to say, we immediately did a U-turn and acted like we hadn't seen a thing and went the other way. Yep,...real nice place to take your family to watch a football game,...I don't think so.

by AUTiger8199 on Jan 30, 2008 4:33 PM CST up reply actions

Oh, and Jay?

.....Your graphic of the scenic Legion Field and surrounding blasted terrain/dirt lots, is dated. The upper deck was condemned a half decade ago, when concrete started falling on the stands below. It had to be taken down. Yes, Birmingham takes SUCH good care of its assets...

by Acid Reign on Jan 29, 2008 8:26 PM CST reply actions

It needed to be condemned.

Still standing - barely,...that's for sure. About 25 years ago I attended an Auburn / Alabama game there and sat in the upper deck,...the short one in the picture on the opposite side, facing the viewer of the picture. I remember throughout the game everyone would stomp their feet and you could actually feel the whole upper deck move ever so slightly, side to side. I honestly thought any minute it was going to come crashing down and I wondered what it would be like to fall face first from the upper deck of a football stadium. I can't tell you how glad I was for that game to be over and I could get out of those stands with my life.

by AUTiger8199 on Jan 30, 2008 4:41 PM CST up reply actions

this league is GOING to take off!

... as soon as Larry Langford gets Birmingham a dome stadium... RIGHT?? :-)

sorry, couldn't resist... but seriously. this is the worst idea i've seen in a while (XFL.. anybody??) the chances of this succeeding are slim to none.. and i agree with the above comment.. i feel bad that Joe Cribbs is involved in all this... hopefully he will bail before it all starts and save face...

by Bodagetta on Jan 30, 2008 1:22 AM CST reply actions