With it being Iron Bowl week, it feels like a good annual time to remember Harvey Updyke. Or as he called himself on his now infamous Finebaum call which would later land him in jail, “Al from Dadeville”:
Most people know the story. Updyke, a Crimson Tide super fan, was angered at Auburn fans placing a Cam Newton jersey on Bear Bryant’s statue at the Walk of Champions following the Tigers’ 24-point comeback in Tuscaloosa in the 2010 Iron Bowl.
He was so upset that he decided to make the nearly three-hour drive to Auburn, Alabama and poison the famous Toomer’s Corner oak trees, a staple at Auburn University and one of the most important symbols of the school itself.
Updyke would wind up in jail for over 70 days after pleading guilty to criminal damage of an agricultural facility as well as being ordered to pay roughly $800,000 in penalties and restitution as well as court fees, but at the time of his death in 2020, he had only paid about $6,900.
Since the infamous incident, Updyke’s name has become synonymous with the rivalry and displays just how much this game means to the state. Sure, you can chalk it up to the fact that he was a bit of a lunatic and that 99.9% of fans would never consider doing anything close to what he did.
But, no matter how you feel about it, there’s one thing you simply cannot deny:
It just means more.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP
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