Have College Rivalries Gone Too Far?

by Ellis Eskew

School rivalries are what motivates us to cheer on our teams with passion.

Montgomery Co. Chief Deputy Derrick Cunningham says law enforcement has to be knowledgeable of the rivalries with extra security at games.

But as we know from recent years,  those passions can drive some fans way too far.
 

Last weekend, at the LSU-Bama game, an Alabama fan was taunted and shot in the leg.

However, it’s not known if the shooter was an LSU fan.

An Alabama fan Brian Downing, accused of committing sexual battery on an unconscious LSU fan after the LSU- BAMA BCS National Championship in 2012, is now serving time in prison.

Alabama fan Harvey Updyke has been ordered to pay Auburn University nearly 800-thousand dollars for poisoning Auburn’s Toomer’s Corner oak trees after the Iron Bowl in 2010.

Auburn fan Jackie Fowler  says, “they went too far when they poisoned our little oak trees. They weren’t hurting nobody. They were down there being pretty and that idiot poisoned them.”
 

But not everyone thinks the rivalries are all that bad.

Jeremy Sampson says, “Looking at Alabama and Auburn, I look at it like Batman and Bane. I understand there may be little issues. One I don’t think the rivalry is every going to change for anyone. I don’t think much is bad about it.”

But others disagree.

Kendra Kelley says, “He thinks it’s all fun until somebody gets hurt. That’s the problem I have. It’s good and healthy and at a certain point you have to know when to cut it off.”

“If they can stay safe. People can be smart and stay safe,” said Sampson.