The Alabama Crimson Tide and Florida Gators don't often play during the regular season, but it's usually a big-time clash when it happens. That's expected as they meet in week 3 of the 2021 college football season as well.
The two SEC powerhouse programs have been among the elite in college football for years, and each meeting seems to have national championship implications or classic moments. This is no different, but for another reason.
Over the last 30 years, Alabama has hosted Florida just five times at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and nine times on a neutral field. The Tide controlled the series as of late, winning nine of the last 11 showdowns since 1999, and taking home several SEC Championship Game victories in the process.
Before one of the rare home games, however, there was a hilarious fight between Big Al and the Florida mascot on the field.
Alabama's Big Al Fights Florida Mascot
RELATED: Alabama's Elephant Mascot: The History of Big Al's Birth in Tuscaloosa
The Alabama band was on the field. The Crimson Tide faithful were in their seats. Legendary quarterback Ken Stabler was on hand to watch. It was a beautiful afternoon in the Yellowhammer State.
As Stabler was getting introduced, the crowd erupted. Most of it was because "The Snake" was back in town. Some of it was because Big Al — Alabama's beloved mascot — was opening a can of whoop ass on Florida's gator mascot.
First, Big Al tackled the gator mascot before celebrating in the end zone. Then, as the gator charged back, Big Al flipped him over his head and slammed him to the turf, which knocked the gator's head off. Big Al finished it all off with another slam, more taunting, a kick to the stomach and a piledriver.
Was it staged? Sure. These pregame fights happen all of the time across the country. However, this specific one was beautifully executed and featured tons of powerful moves.
Big Al is not to be messed with, especially at Bryant-Denny Stadium, and he will make sure to defend his honor at all times.
This post was originally published on May 19, 2020, but has been brought back before Alabama and Florida play in week 3 of the 2021 college football season.
