The Crimson Tide is off to Pasadena to play in the Rose Bowl for a chance to advance to the national championship, and the Million Dollar Band is headed out West with them.
While it’s not the first Rose Bowl appearance for the football program, according to Band Director Dr. Ken Ozello, this is the first time the marching band will perform in the parade.
In fact, Alabama has the most appearances in the game (eight) by any team not from the Big 10 or PAC 8, 10, or 12, making six of those appearances between 1926 and 1946. Alabama last played in the Rose Bowl in 2020, but it was during the COVID season and the game was played in Texas.
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The 5.5-mile parade route is expected to draw about 700,000 spectators lining the streets with another 45 million watching on television or by streaming.
It will be a long day for the Million Dollar Band, with the parade beginning at 10 a.m CT (8 a.m in Pasadena) Monday and the game kicking off that afternoon. The parade will be broadcast on ABC; the game is on ESPN.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP
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