I don’t remember Punt ‘Bama Punt. I was 19 months old, and though I do remember a lot from my toddler years, I was not yet actively following Alabama football.
I feel like I remember it, though, because I’m treated to multiple viewings of it every November when the Iron Bowl is played.
You know, though, the part they never mention when they show that footage is exactly what I do remember about it: Alabama won the next nine Iron Bowls in a row. I was 8 years old the first time I attended an Iron Bowl in person, but I was 11 the first time I remember Alabama losing.
For the first part of my life, the Iron Bowl just didn’t happen any other way. Alabama always won. Why did Auburn keep coming to the game? I wondered.
Now, in addition to Punt ‘Bama Punt, I’m treated to multiple viewings of Kick Six, which I remember all too well. It is another iconic Iron Bowl ending—and another Auburn victory.
And by the way, Alabama has won three Iron Bowls in a row since Kick Six. That’s the first three-peat since 1990-92. It puts Nick Saban, as the Alabama head coach, at 7-3 vs. Auburn. His three losses are his first year, with limited implementation of The Process; 2010, opposing a freakish, lightning-in-a-bottle player; and Kick Six.
You may have noticed I didn’t make a lot of racket about Alabama winning the Iron Bowl last night. It’s mostly because that, while it pleases me, I also recognize it as the natural state of things. I’m looking to the calendar, forward and back, and thinking Alabama has this until 2023 or so.
I won’t begrudge Auburn its bizarre freak show victories, and having to watch their replays every year, when Alabama follows with calmly icing the rivalry for most of a decade at a time.
Steel yourselves, Auburn. We’re just gettin’ sat down good.
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