When I’m asked how I became an Auburn fan, I smile. It’s not a short answer. It’s not just about football or basketball, or even the colors orange and blue. It’s about family. It’s about tradition. It’s about the deep, unwavering passion that pulses through the veins of every Auburn fan. And above all, it’s about those unforgettable Saturdays at Jordan-Hare Stadium when time slows, the band plays “War Eagle,” and a community becomes one.
I didn’t choose Auburn; Auburn chose me. Or maybe, more accurately, it was chosen for me before I was even born.
Growing Up Auburn
I grew up in a house where Auburn was a way of life. My parents, both proud Auburn alumni, filled our home with stories of campus life, Tiger Walks, and dramatic victories. My earliest memories are not of learning the alphabet but of learning the words to the Auburn fight song. The scent of tailgate barbecue and the sound of a crowd roaring on TV were as common as morning cereal.
My dad used to say, “There’s something different about Auburn people.” I didn’t understand it then, but I do now. Auburn isn’t just a school—it’s a community, a spirit, a family. My mom would iron my Auburn jersey every fall Saturday, and we’d all gather around the television, no matter how tough the opponent. Win or lose, we stood by our Tigers.
Some families pass down jewelry or furniture; mine passed down stories of Pat Dye, Bo Jackson, and the 1989 Iron Bowl—the first time Alabama ever played in Jordan-Hare. My grandfather, rest his soul, cried that day. He said he never thought he’d live to see Alabama set foot on our field. That kind of passion doesn’t fade. It becomes a part of you.
The First Time I Stepped on Campus
I still remember the first time I set foot on Auburn’s campus. I was just a kid, maybe nine or ten. We’d driven hours to make it in time for Tiger Walk. As the team walked through the sea of fans lining Donahue Drive, I felt something shift inside me. There was an energy, a power, a pride unlike anything I’d felt before. It wasn’t just a game—it was a gathering of souls connected by something far greater than a scoreboard.
To a child, Auburn was magical. Samford Hall looked like a castle. The eagle soaring overhead before kickoff was more breathtaking than any fireworks show. The shouts of “War Eagle!” from strangers felt like a family reunion.
That day, as the sun set and the band played, I told my dad, “I want to come here when I grow up.” He squeezed my shoulder and smiled, because he knew I meant it.
Jordan-Hare: Where Legends Are Born
There’s something sacred about Jordan-Hare Stadium. It’s not just a field; it’s a temple. Every seat, every blade of grass, every echo of a past touchdown holds meaning. Saturdays in Jordan-Hare are electric. From the moment the gates open to the final whistle, the place is alive.
I’ve been there for the heartbreaks and for the triumphs. I was there when the Tigers roared back from behind to stun Georgia. I was there when Cam Newton launched himself into Heisman history. And of course, I was there on November 30, 2013, when Chris Davis ran into immortality with the Kick Six.
No Auburn fan will ever forget that night. You could feel the Earth shake. You could hear the disbelief in Gary Danielson’s voice. And as Davis crossed the end zone and the crowd exploded, we all knew we had witnessed something eternal. That wasn’t just a football play—it was poetry in motion. It was destiny.
That’s the thing about Auburn. It doesn’t just give you games. It gives you memories that last a lifetime.
More Than Football
While football might be the beating heart of Auburn pride, it’s not the whole story. Auburn is about loyalty and excellence across all fields. From Bruce Pearl’s fire and passion on the hardwood to the dominance of Auburn equestrian and softball, the spirit flows through every athletic program.
I’ll never forget the 2019 Final Four run. Jared Harper. Bryce Brown. Chuma Okeke. The whole country underestimated us. But Auburn fans knew—we believed. We always believe. That buzzer-beater over Kentucky. The takedown of North Carolina. The shocking victory over a loaded Virginia team—until the heartbreak of that controversial call. Through it all, Auburn Nation stood proud.
And beyond sports, Auburn instills character. I saw it in the service projects, in the quiet acts of kindness on campus, in the way professors and students supported each other. The Auburn Creed isn’t just words—it’s a guiding principle that shapes the lives of those who walk the Plains.
Family Runs Deep
Auburn isn’t a solo journey. It’s a bond that weaves through generations. My sister went to Auburn. So did my uncle and cousin. Thanksgiving dinners turn into spirited debates about who the best Tiger of all time is. (It’s Bo, by the way. No contest.) My niece was born last year, and her nursery? Decked out in orange and blue, with a stuffed Aubie at her side.
I’ve seen strangers in airports throw up a “War Eagle!” the moment they spot an Auburn hat. I’ve shared meals with fellow fans who were strangers minutes before but family forever after. Auburn unites us in a world that often feels divided.
Even when life pulls us in different directions, Auburn is the thread that keeps us connected. Whether you’re in Atlanta, Austin, or Anchorage, you can always find an Auburn family waiting to welcome you.
What It Feels Like
Being an Auburn fan means never giving up. It means believing in miracles. It means understanding that loyalty doesn’t depend on the score at halftime.
It’s the feeling of walking through Toomer’s Corner after a big win, tossing rolls of toilet paper into the trees, celebrating with thousands of your closest friends. It’s the pride that swells when you hear “Sweet Home Alabama” reworked for Auburn fans: “We’re from Auburn, can’t you tell?”
It’s about tears when the seniors take the field for the last time. It’s about the next class of freshmen who don’t know yet how deep the Auburn experience will change them.
It’s about saying, “It’s great to be an Auburn Tiger,” and knowing you mean every syllable.
Through Highs and Lows
We’ve seen our share of tough seasons. Injuries, coaching changes, heartbreaking losses—they’re all part of the journey. But Auburn fans don’t waver. We don’t bail when the going gets tough. We stick together. Because being an Auburn fan isn’t about perfection. It’s about persistence.
We sing the fight song a little louder after a loss. We show up and pack the stadium even when the odds are against us. We believe in comebacks. We believe in hard work. We believe in each other.
That’s what sets Auburn apart. We don’t expect it to be easy. We just expect it to be worth it. And it always is.
The Legacy Continues
Now, I take my own kids to Jordan-Hare. I watch their eyes light up the same way mine did all those years ago. I tell them the stories. I show them where Bo ran, where Cadillac danced, where Cam lifted us to greatness.
They’re learning the cheers, the chants, the magic. They’re wearing the jerseys and painting their faces. They’re beginning to understand what it means to be part of something bigger than themselves.
And when people ask them one day, “How did you become an Auburn fan?” I hope they smile, just like I do. Because the answer isn’t just words. It’s a lifetime of memories, love, and Auburn pride.
War Eagle Forever
So, when I’m asked how I became an Auburn fan, I smile. It’s not one moment. It’s thousands. It’s not one person. It’s generations.
It’s a baby in a tiny Auburn onesie. It’s a teenager applying to the university with hope in their heart. It’s an alum walking across campus one last time before heading out into the world. It’s a grandparent in the stands, eyes filled with tears as the band plays “War Eagle” one more time.
It’s about believing in something that never leaves you. It’s about shouting until your voice is gone, hugging strangers, and standing in awe of the eagle’s flight.
It’s about the Creed. The campus. The colors. The camaraderie.
It’s Auburn.
And I wouldn’t trade it for the world.