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Nick Saban, Josh Heupel comment on cigar tradition following Third Saturday in Ocotber
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One of the best rivalries in college football ends with the winning team lighting cigars.
For most of this century, its been Alabama lighting cigars after beating Tennessee, but the Vols were the ones smoking cigars last season after beating the Tide in an all-time classic game that ended on a game-winning field goal.
Josh Heupel hasn’t been at Tennessee long, but he knows the significance of the tradition and has already been on both sides of it.
“Just hearing it from people who have been around this program, I think that part of the tradition of the game has only continued to grow,” Heupel said during the SEC coaches teleconference Wednesday. “It’s really unique. I’ve been in trophy games, and never been involved in anything quite like this one where the cigar is a part of the celebration on the back end. My first involvement was obviously being in Tuscaloosa when we were on the wrong side of it. It’s a really unique part of the game and celebration of this rivalry.”
Heupel was asked about the logistics of bring cigars on the road, but the Vols’ head coach has more important things to prepare for.
“First time I’ve thought about that this week,” Heupel said. “There’s enough in our preparation to get ready for these guys.”
Nick Saban has lit many cigars in his time at Alabama, but he still likes the tradition, even if he doesn’t fully participate in it.
“I guess it’s fun when you get the opportunity to smoke a cigar,” Sabansaid. “I don’t smoke, so I just kind of chew on one for a little bit. I think games like this that have special innuendo that go with them, it’s good for the players to have special relationships like that. I don’t think there’s anything bad about it.”
This year’s matchup should be another fun one. Both teams come into the game with momentum, looking to make up for early season losses.
