Roll Tide is a popular phrase associated with Alabama and is one of the most well-known monikers in college sports. Where exactly the phrase Roll Tide first began is a bit of a mystery, however. Multiple accounts stretch back over a century to when Alabama started to be called the Crimson Tide.
So, how did Alabama get its roll call, why do people say it, and what’s the response? Let’s take a closer look and walk through the past 100+ years.
Why Is Alabama Called Crimson Tide?
Alabama’s association with Crimson Tide dates back over a century, but the exact origins are a bit mysterious. The nickname became prominent in 1907, thanks to a sports journalist named Hugh Roberts from the Birmingham Age-Herald.
At the time, Alabama was playing against Auburn in a game that would become legendary. The weather conditions were dreadful, turning the field into a muddy mess. Auburn was the favored team, but Alabama held them to a 6-6 tie.
The mud on the field turned to a color reminiscent of crimson, similar to the iron-rich soil of Alabama. This inspired Roberts to describe the scene as a crimson tide, a term that would soon become synonymous with Alabama football.
Before adopting this nickname, Alabama’s team was known as The Thin Red Line. However, Crimson Tide captured the imagination of fans and sportswriters alike with its connotations of battle and unyielding effort on the gridiron. Newspaper clippings from the 1910s began to refer to Alabama as the Crimson Tide, though it wasn’t immediately embraced as the team’s official nickname.
The phrase gained more popularity thanks to Henry Harden “Zipp” Newman, the sports editor at the Birmingham News in 1919. His frequent use of “Crimson Tide” helped cement it in the public consciousness, and over time, it became the enduring symbol of Alabama’s football legacy.
Why Do People Say Roll Tide?
Roll Tide is the rallying chant of Alabama football, and it originates from Alabama’s nickname, the Crimson Tide. The phrase has become one of the most well-known in college sports, but its exact beginnings are unclear.
Most believe that Roll Tide was first coined around the same time as Crimson Tide and became popularized as a way to cheer on the Alabama team, encouraging them to roll over their opponents. Some suggest the word roll was added to signify the team’s dominant play style, steamrolling through their opponents.
There’s also a theory pointing to an entry in an Alabama student magazine called Yea Alabama in 1926. The magazine featured the phrase Go! Roll to vic-try!, which eventually evolved into the modern Roll Tide chant. This expression not only fired up fans but also became a form of greeting and a way for Alabama supporters to identify with one another.
Over time, Roll Tide transcended its role as just a game-day chant. It symbolized the university’s spirit and the pride of Alabama’s fanbase. Today, it’s used in everyday conversations, greeting fellow fans, and even featured in media and advertisements like the one above from ESPN.
Whether shouted in the stands or used casually among friends, “Roll Tide” continues to represent the enduring legacy and passion of Alabama football.
So, when you hear someone say Roll Tide, they’re not just cheering for a team; they’re celebrating a rich tradition, a shared identity, and the unyielding spirit of the Crimson Tide.
What’s the Response to Roll Tide?
The typical response to Roll Tide is simply to echo the phrase back — Roll Tide! This repetition reinforces the shared enthusiasm and solidarity among Alabama fans. It’s a way for fans to say hello to each other and share in the pageantry that is college football.
In some cases, people might respond with a longer affirmation, like Roll Tide, Roll!. However, the most common and straightforward reply remains Roll Tide, reflecting the unity and spirit of the fanbase.