Alabama Snuffs Out Tennessee In “The Cigar Game”
College football is rooted in tradition. Rivalries between colleges go back decades, some even stretch back to the 19th century. Many have quirky names and virtually all foster intense animosity towards opposing schools. But our favorite, as should be the case for all cigar lovers, is the annual matchup between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers, officially known as “The Third Saturday in October,” or more affectionately, “The Cigar Game.” This past Saturday, after years of close, back-and-forth matchups, The Tide rolled all over the Volunteers in a convincing 37-20 victory—and cigars took center stage again.
For those unfamiliar, the rivalry stretches back to 1901, between colleges located just 310 miles from one another. As the legend goes, back in 1961, Alabama’s head trainer Jim Goosetree offered cigars to the players if they could end their losing streak against Tennessee. The Tide won, the cigars were broken out, and ever since, it has been tradition that the winning team (and most of the fans in attendance) light up cigars in the stadium to celebrate victory.
Heading into Saturday, the stage was set for another heavyweight showdown between these two powerhouse SEC programs. In the last four matchups in this rivalry, the home team has won each time. This year, it was back in Tuscaloosa, Alabama for the prime-time slot on ABC, No. 6 Alabama versus No. 11 Tennessee. Both teams were 5-1, but had been steadily climbing up the college rankings. In the newly-expanded, twelve-team College Football Playoff format, games like these weigh heavy at year-end.
Vegas had Alabama favored by 7.5 points heading into the game, and that spread turned out to be quite generous. The game can be summed up in one play, a moment that is likely already in the heads of anyone who watched the contest. The score was 16-7, with Alabama ahead and nine seconds remaining in the first half. The Volunteers had driven all the way down to Alabama’s one yard line, with what seemed to be enough time for two chances at a score, touchdown or field goal. Instead, on second down, a Volunteer pass was intercepted by Alabama defensive back Zabien Brown, who returned the interception 99 yards for a touchdown as time expired in the first half. The Tide went up 23-7 at halftime. For Alabama fans, it was a wonderful display of the chaotic majesty that is college football. For Tennessee faithful, a dagger to the heart.
Momentum stayed in the Tide’s favor in the second half as they kept Tennessee at bay the rest of the way. Alabama’s eventual victory marked the fifth time in a row that the home team has won this rivalry. After many epic battles in recent years, the decisive win and subsequent celebration seemed subdued in comparison. For Alabama, it was strictly business. Fans didn’t rush the field, they were even casually smoking cigars in the stands minutes before the game clock struck zero. Alabama players and coaches had cigars in-hand once the game ended, but for the most part, they took their party to the locker room.
The Tide get their smokes for the rivalry game from the Tuscaloosa-based cigar shop R&R Cigars. Owner Reagan Starner has been supplying the team with his in-house Casa de Estrellas cigars since 2015, delivering them the week of the game. His shop also sells a special-edition “Cigar Game” smoke in conjunction with La Flor Dominicana. The Dominican company has been making the cigars for R&R since 2019. Starner could be seen just after The Tide won handing Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer a cigar, which he warmly received. ESPN’s "Sportscenter" actually did a brief segment on Starner and R&R Cigars in the lead up to last week’s game, demonstrating how much the cigar theme has caught on with this rivalry.
For now, Alabama will have to put cigars in the rearview, as Tennessee aims to do the same with Saturday’s performance. The Tide jumped up to No. 4 in the college football rankings, and are primed to continue their rise, whereas the Volunteers slid down to No. 17. College Football Playoff hopes are not dead in Knoxville yet, but in a loaded SEC conference, Tennessee will have little room for error the rest of the way.
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