LSU v Bama Rivalry is Stupid

by Bombilla on Nov 10, 2008 12:59 PM CST

Two people dead in aftermath of the game.

AP/CNNSI reports "A man and woman were shot dead after an argument that witnesses said started over an Alabama-LSU football game."

Here's the text:

The Conecuh County sheriff's office identified the victims as Dennis James Smith, 41, and Donna Kaye Hall Smith, 39, of Brewton. The two were shot to death about 7 p.m. Saturday in the rural community of Owassa in southern Alabama.

Michael W. Williams, 28, was arrested and charged with two counts of murder over the shooting at his home, where he had watched the game. He was being held Monday without bond. A sheriff's investigator handling the case did not know if he had an attorney.

An investigator said Monday that people watching the game at Williams' home said the dispute was over the game, which Alabama won 27-21 in overtime Saturday, but an investigation into the motive was not complete. The investigator also said alcohol may have been a factor.

According to witness accounts to investigators, Dennis Smith, an LSU fan, called Williams, an Alabama fan, after the game, and the Smiths then went to Williams' home, where a physical altercation led to the shooting.

Investigators said Dennis Smith had a pistol and Williams had a shotgun and fired.

Authorities said Donna Smith was a relative of Williams' girlfriend.

Relatives of both the victims and the suspect either declined comment or did not immediately return phone messages Monday from The Associated Press.

Geez... The only time I've ever thought about shooting someone is when I thought about committing suicide after the UCLA game in 1996. These people give "redneck" a bad name.

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The shame of my home state...

Let me start by saying that I have been a resident of the state of Alabama my entire life with the exception of the 4.5 years I spent at Rice University. It’s a wonderful place to live; really, it is. The weather’s exceptional (if you don’t might hot and humid in the summer), the taxes can’t be beat, and the Birmingham area (where I live) has everything you need without all the traffic and serious bustle of Atlanta.

On Saturday after the Texas/Baylor game, I watched the first quarter of LSU/Bama and then went outside to do a little yard work before it got dark. When Alabama scored its second touchdown, you could hear houses full of Alabama fans throughout my neighborhood erupting in joyous celebration. This is the case any fall Saturday when Alabama or Auburn are playing a big conference rival. It’s quaint, wonderful, and uniquely Southern.

I thought back on all the great Alabama/LSU games I’ve attended and watched on television over the years. I once sat through a Bama/LSU game during a driving rainstorm and accompanying tornado at Legion Field. I remembered all those years of Alabama domination in Baton Rouge, and subsequent LSU domination in Tuscaloosa. It’s a wonderful football series, full of history and great players and momentous consequences.

And then something like this happens, and the bilious shame of my state rises to the back of my throat and makes me wonder to myself, is this the last time? Why do I raise my children here? And, last but not least, does anyone know of some land that I can get for a song, somewhere out near Bandera?

Friends may come and go, but enemies accumulate.
- Thomas Jones

by beast in bama on Nov 10, 2008 2:07 PM CST reply actions

Exception, not the rule

I lived there from 70-75, and have grads of both Auburn & Alabama in the family. Older sister still lives in B’ham. This kind of thing, while it always seemed possible when Bama & Auburn play, is unusual in my experience. Having said that, the Tiger/Tide fans (whether grads or no) are generally intense, focused and loud during games – no matter the opponent or whether in attendance at the game or watching on tv. I behave the same way for my beloved Horns, often to what seems like the shock and dismay of those nearby (my wife namely, but there were times I’ve been louder at Memorial stadium than students in the student section & same-aged adults in the alumni section).

I wouldn’t indict an entire state based on the actions of the few & deranged. There’s so much the news story doesn’t make clear about this incident. At any rate, I’d like to see a lot more of that ‘Bama/Auburn type’ intensity’ in our fans. Loud stadiums really make the homefield advantage, IMHO.

by HalfmileHorn on Nov 11, 2008 10:23 AM CST up reply actions