By By Chandler Myers
Hamburgers, hot dogs, steaks, wings and a ton of other foods really create a great atmosphere when football season rolls around.
Grilling out at the apartment was always fun and with good friends and great food all around, the mood before the game was always electric. There is no better time of the year than fall in Tuscaloosa and the sights, smells and sounds never leave.
For four years, a life was shaped and molded by all these things and it seems like yesterday that 18-year-old student stepped onto the campus not knowing where his life would go. Saturdays were always a focal point because of the Crimson Tide, but not until arriving at the UA campus did he feel the tradition.
The 12 national championships, the 21 SEC championships, the most bowl berths and bowl wins in history. And a great part of the tradition is the tailgating and cooking so much food, it can be used as leftovers for a week.
Visits from the parents were the best because Mom could whip up some chili or taco salad in no time and on those days that college kid could pig out on some good food.
Saturdays at the Capstone are in the past, but the ritual doesn't completely change and football food will still be a weekly thing.
Every weekend people look forward to eating all of the foods that make the games more fun. Even some new ideas for a game meal have become a fix during the first two weeks of football season.
One that is really enjoyable is called "dump" and it's just homemade goulash helper and I look forward to eating it as often as it is available to me. Still, the old favorites are always going to have to be present when a cookout or tailgate is in order before a big game.
Loading down a hot dog with a side of fries never has trouble hitting the spot and just the smell of a steak on the grill heightens that hungry feeling.
Nothing can substitute for the atmosphere of actually walking around the Quad or sitting in the stands at an important game, but just being with good friends and a "Bama girl" really makes the game that more exciting. Seeing people "high-five" or do a dance for a big touchdown is always great and keeps the fun going.
Four years later and that 18-year-old kid is now attempting to be a 22-year-old adult living on his own in the City of Atmore.
While the memories will never fade, I will always miss Saturdays being able to open the front door and see fans walking around Bryant-Denny Stadium and that feeling I got every time I stepped out of the tunnel to find my seat, hearing the fight song and watching our "Tradition" video.
Now an alumnus of the University of Alabama, it will always be a part of who I am and where I have been, Roll Tide Roll!
2 1/2-pounds of ground beef
1-stick of Velveeta cheese
1-32 ounce jar of traditional Ragu
1-15 ounce box noodles
Chandler Myers is sports editor of the Atmore Advance. He can be reached at 368-2123.