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Alabama’s most powerful figures cross paths at Iron Bowl

The Iron Bowl attracted a wide range of fans who wanted to see Alabama take on Auburn in Jordan-Hare Stadium this year. In the 88th edition, which proved to be quite the game to witness, many of Alabama’s most influential political and business figures made an appearance.

U.S. Senator Katie Britt, a noted Crimson Tide fan who has frequented gamedays in Tuscaloosa this season on top of a busy calendar in Washington, made the rounds on Saturday.

Congressman Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) also linked up with Britt (R-Montgomery) on the Plains.

Alabama’s senior senator, who has a handful of Iron Bowls himself, was seen catching up with Alabama head coach Nick Saban before the game.

(Vasha Hunt/AP)

Sen. Tuberville (R-Auburn) gave Saban his first taste of Iron Bowl action back in 2007 when the Auburn Tigers extended their winning streak over Alabama to six games in Saban’s first Iron Bowl. Saban went on to defeat Tuberville 36-0 the following season, so the coaches very well might have taken a trip down memory lane in their passing conversation.

Tuberville, who might be the only Alabama figure to casually refer to the Alabama head coach as simply “Nick” in public, shares a friendship and deep respect for his formal rival.

Tuberville was also seen talking to both Hugh Freeze and Jimmy Rane during the pregame. Rane, the founder and CEO of Great Southern Wood Preserving, is Alabama’s only billionaire and one of Auburn’s most prominent athletic donors.

It appears that Sen. Britt carried her excitement for Alabama’s jaw-dropping victory from the Plains all the way back to Capitol Hill, as she was overheard shouting “Roll Tide” on Monday night while sporting some prominent Tide gear.

Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP