| Up until the year 1906, the sports team from University | | | | while, they were referred to as the "Thin Red Line." |
| of Alabama was referred to as either the "varsity" or | | | | This was a nickname that stuck until 1906. |
| "Crimson White," referring to the school colors; then, in | | | | The coming of the tide |
| 1906, Hugh Roberts used the phrase "Crimson Tide" | | | | In the 1907 Iron Bowl, Alabama faced off against |
| when he was describing a game against Auburn in | | | | Auburn in Birmingham. This game is also remarkable as |
| Birmingham that was played in red mud. Auburn was | | | | the last contest between the two schools until 1948, |
| favored to win, but Alabama played a great game, | | | | when the Iron Bowl resumed. |
| thus the beginning of their name. However, it was | | | | This game happened to be played in a sea of red |
| former sports editor of the Birmingham News, Zipp | | | | mud, and Auburn was heavily favored to win; yet the |
| Newman, who was responsible for popularizing the | | | | "Thin Red Line" apparently played a good game, and |
| name. | | | | they held the game to tie at 6-6. Upon reporting about |
| When you think "tide," you think of the sea or some | | | | the game, Hugh Roberts, the former sports editor for |
| body of water. You don't really think of it as a name | | | | Birmingham Age Herald, used the phrase "Crimson |
| for a school's athletic team. Additionally, their mascot is | | | | Tide" in describing the team. And since then, the name |
| an elephant. How did it come about that they are now | | | | stuck. |
| known as the Alabama Crimson Tide. | | | | It should also be noted that although, Hugh Roberts is |
| Before the tide | | | | credited with coining the phrase, it was Zipp Newman |
| Newspaper accounts from the early 1900s on | | | | (former sports editor for the Birmingham News), |
| Alabama football referred to the football team from | | | | among so many other writers, that popularized the |
| the University of Alabama as the "varsity" or the | | | | name when referring to the team. |
| "Crimson White," a nod to the school colors. After a | | | | |