By: @LivingCrimson
From Auburn’s official Traditions page is a story funnier than anything the REC could invent. We are so not surprised the original eagle was as crazy as the current ones…
"War Eagle" is Auburn's battle cry, not a mascot or nickname. The most popular story about the battle cry dates back to the first time Auburn met Georgia on the football field in 1892 and centers around a spectator who was a veteran of the Civil War. In the stands with him that day was an eagle the old soldier had found on a battlefield during the war. He had kept it as a pet for almost 30 years. According to witnesses, the eagle suddenly broke free and began majestically circling the playing field. As the eagle soared, Auburn began a steady march toward the Georgia end zone for a thrilling victory. Elated at their team's play and taking the bird's presence as an omen of success, Auburn students and fans began to yell "War Eagle" to spur on their team. At the game's end, the eagle took a sudden dive, crashed into the ground, and died. But the battle cry "War Eagle" lived on to become a symbol of the proud Auburn spirit.
The great Auburn tradition, failed before it began. But never let it be said the Weagles accept repeated defeat.
Even funnier is the Auburn family in the skybox who witnessed the modern Spirit’s desperate bid for escape from Orange oppression – and took pictures.
Crystal Whitaker, 32, always had to get the kids there early because seeing the eagle fly was their favorite part of the game… Whitaker and her three children were sitting on the front row of the luxury box Spirit crashed into during Saturday’s traditional pre-game eagle flight. She still can’t believe what she saw…
“Those windows are so clean you can see straight through them so we never let the kids touch them because anything leaves a mark,” Whitaker said. “Well it [the eagle] left a big grease mark right mark right in the middle (of the window).” …
“When he hit, he fell down to the concrete overhang. We really, honestly thought he was dead.”
Hey Barners, too bad your defense doesn’t hit as hard as your eagles.
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