WebProNews

Tag: Iron Bowl

  • George W. Bush Wrote Letter Of Encouragement To Alabama’s Kicker

    George W. Bush is someone who knows what it is like to do something wrong, and be criticized for it. For whatever reason, the former president decided to send a heartfelt letter to Cade Foster, the kicker for Alabama, who has received a great deal of criticism over his performance in the Iron Bowl.

    Cade Foster has been criticized by many for his performance which included two missed field goals, cuasing him to be replaced for the final field goal to end the game. The back-up kicker Adam Griffith missed that field goal, and it was returned for a touchdown by Chris Davis, who became a hero at Auburn.

    George W. Bush sent a letter to the kicker, essentially letting him know that he will become a stronger over time, and that it is simply a setback.

    Alabama was the No. 1 team coming into the game against Auburn, and seeming to already plan for the national championship, but the Auburn Tigers had another plan. Auburn was able to come away from the game with a victory, sending them to the SEC Championship Game. The Auburn Tigers upset the Alabama Crimson Tide, and to the delight of some fans, Alabama will not be playing in the national championship.

    While a game is comprised of four quarters and many plays, some people would argue that there is no way that the kicker is solely to blame. However, Foster has been the subject of many threats, and following the game, some fans even suggested that he transfer schools. George W. Bush faced a similar situation during his presidency and certainly knows the type of situation that Foster is in right now, wanting to offer his help.

    A fake profile for Auburn’s quarterback Nick Marshall even got in on the teasing with this post.

    Even if Cade Foster were not a big fan of the former president, it is certainly a big deal that he has gone out of his way to write such a letter to the Alabama kicker. Foster, of course, went on Instagram to share the news with everyone. While George W. Bush was the 43rd president, Foster is also No.43, taking the time to note that in his letter with irony, from one 43 to another.

    In a way it seems that Adam Griffith was the one that missed the field goal to cost Alabama the game, making people wonder why it was Foster who was criticized to such a high degree. In any case, it is good to see that someone like George W. Bush would take the time to console the young kicker. Foster mentioned in his post on Instagram that he would be framing the letter, because how often does someone have a letter written to them from a former president?

    Image via Instagram

  • Alabama Fan Shooting: Woman Shot to Death After Alabama Loses to Auburn

    An Iron Bowl party in Hoover turned deadly after a woman brandished a gun and shot a fellow Alabama fan to death because she wasn’t taking the loss seriously enough. Adrian Briskey, 28, was arrested on Saturday after killing Michelle Shepherd, 36. Shepherd was a single mom to three children ages 8, 6 and 4. Briskey is currently out on bail.

    Briskey and Shepherd were at an Iron Bowl party over the weekend when Briskey became enraged after hearing Shepherd joke around with her sister about Alabama’s last-second loss to Auburn. As you likely remember, Auburn’s Chris Davis caught an Alabama missed field goal and returned it for a 109-yard touchdown for the win. The loss killed then #1 Alabama’s chances to play in the SEC Championship Game as well as the BCS Championship Game.

    Police are investigating the situation and say they aren’t sure how much of a factor alcohol and the Bama game played into the shooting. Shepherd’s sister, Nekesa Shepherd, says the game and alcohol absolutely played a factor into Briskey’s actions. According to Nekesa, she witnessed Briskey taking multiple shots of liquor after the Alabama loss. After the two sisters made a joke and said that the Bama loss wasn’t as bad as the Miami Heat losing a game, Nekesa says that Briskey then flew into a rage.

    “She said we weren’t real Alabama fans because it didn’t bother us that they lost,” Nekesa said.

    Reports say that the argument between Briskey and Shepherd was eventually taken to the parking lot of the apartment complex where the Iron Bowl party was held. It was there that Briskey brandished a gun. “And then she started shooting,” Nekesa said. “It was over a football game. I’m never going to forget it because she died in my arms.”

    Briskey has since been released from jail after posting a $75,000 bond.

    This isn’t the first time a rivalry party has turned violent, although it’s usually a result of fans of opposing teams getting into it. Just earlier this month, a man was arrested after using a stun-gun on his wife following the Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers game.

    [Image via YouTube]

  • Iron Bowl Upset Sees Auburn Defeat No. 1 Alabama

    Last night was one of those games that will be talked about for many years to come. If only for the unpredictable (and if you happen to hate the Crimson Tide, absolutely hilarious) finish. The No. 1 Alabama had practically already started packing their bags. “Atlanta, here we come!” But the No. 4 Auburn Tigers did not plan on going out quietly. As it turned out, they weren’t going out at all.

    The local rivalry made many suspect they were in for a great match up. But no one could have predicted the level of drama would be as high as it was. It was the sort of game where a 99-yard “Hail Mary” return by Amari Cooper that ended at 21-21 tie in the fourth quarter would not be the play of the night. Oh, the play would star Alabama….just probably not in the manner they would have preferred.

    In the closing seconds of the game, there was already the expectation it was going into overtime. Kicker Cody Foster had missed crucial opportunities earlier in the game, leading to the decision to use Adam Griffith for a literally last second 57-yard field goal attempt.

    There are kickers who have missed that last second field goal and failed to give their team a major win. However, no one wants to be the kicker whose failure results in a catch that turns into a 100-yard return for a touchdown. Chris Davis performed an impossible task to help Auburn snatch victory away in a flash. Meanwhile, Alabama players stood stunned on the field and fans gaped in the stands.

    “Hey Alabama! Hey Alabama! Hey Alabama, we just beat the Hell out of you!”

    The jubilant Tigers fans could not contain themselves as they flooded the field, singing and dancing and rubbing the surprising finish the faces of their rivals. Social media lit up with reactions. Some tweeted disbelief. Others death threats. Poor Cody Foster was forced to go into Twitter-hiding, having deleted his name from his twitter and removed his picture in hopes of avoiding a huge wave of backlash over his failure.

    As disappointed and angry as some fans may be, it was understood by cooler heads that sometimes the odds just aren’t in your favor.

    “Sometimes luck just isn’t on your side,” quarterback AJ McCarron said, his disappointment highly visible.

    Luck was a key factor to be sure, but sometimes it’s about space and opportunity. Atlanta’s SEC Championship will be a cat-fight as both sides go by the name of Tigers. Which side will reign supreme is anyone’s guess, though a last minute upset may have taught sports pundits to question the “sure thing”.

    Image: Auburn Tigers Official Facebook

  • Katherine Webb Nervous About Alabama-Auburn Game

    This Saturday is going to be a first for Katherine Webb, and she’s pretty nervous. Webb will be attending the Iron Bowl for the first time.

    For those who may be a bit unaware, the Iron Bowl is the annual game played by rivals the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers.

    Webb will have a difficult time because she attended Auburn University, but her boyfriend, star quarterback AJ McCarron, plays for Alabama.

    The former Miss Alabama USA can often be seen in the stands cheering on McCarron and the Crimson Tide, and it looks as if this Saturday will be no different.

    Last week Webb told USA TODAY Sports, “This is the first actual game, Iron Bowl, that I will be attending. I don’t know what to expect and I’m really nervous.”

    It seems a bit odd that Webb, who graduated from Auburn in 2011, has never actually been to the Iron Bowl, but it’s true. Webb said, “I didn’t get to go to the Iron Bowl whenever I was in school because I ended up having to sell my student ticket because I was running low on cash.”

    Webb isn’t nervous about actually attending the game.

    Said Webb, “Even in my experience at Auburn, it’s been very, very rare to see fans that have been rude or anything like that.” She added, “I’m not nervous about the fans. Of course I want to see AJ have that fourth championship ring, so I really want them to do well. That’s what I’m nervous about. I’m not nervous about his talent or abilities as a player. Of course, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous about the outcome.”

    It should be quite an exciting game. Alabama has an 11-0 record, while Auburn has a 10-0 record. The winner will play in Atlanta for the SEC Championship.

    If Alabama wins, this could lead McCarron to his fourth national championship ring.

    “Honestly, I don’t know what to expect. AJ just in his protective nature, we talked about it (Wednesday) night. And he was like, ‘I’m concerned. I don’t know what the fans are gonna do.’ And I’m like, ‘It’s OK. I’ll be sweet, genuine and nice like I always am if anything were to happen,’’ said Webb.

    You can watch the game this Saturday, November 30, at 3:30 p.m. EST on CBS.

    [Image via Webb’s official Twitter.]