Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer

My higher-order life-liver sister Jilly sends me a book in the mail. It's about football in the Deep South. I consider it a must-read for anyone who is trying to decipher the reality of football as a way of life.

I've tried in several blog entries to explain snippets of that reality, but usually it only ends up with me mentally throwing up my arms and saying, "Well, unless you were born there, you won't really 'get it.'"

The author hops on an RV (recreation vehicle) tour with the faithful fans of the University of Alabama, going to every game in an RV (about 1,000 go to every game this way). The full experience. And it sheds light on each university's traditions like The Grove at Ole Miss, or the lack of traditions at Vanderbilt, a day at Florida's Swamp, and even Toomer's Corner at Auburn.

It also sheds light on how some dads who've missed their daughter's wedding (but hey, he made the reception) can in their heart of hearts justify making such a decision ("We told her we might not be able to make it if she scheduled it during the 3rd Saturday in October.") or how a heart transplant patient willingly goes off the heart transplant list every time he goes two hours outside of the Nashville hospital during games. Not to mention stories of beautiful co-eds with southern drawls who are charming before kick-off and full-blown foul-mouths once the ball is in play.

A t-shirt available at the University of Alabama (in Tuscaloosa): "Tuscaloosa: A drinking town with a football problem." Really.

And, those are really on the tip of the iceberg. The book is an introduction for the uninitiated...and a fun read.