Alabama-Auburn Rivalry Takes Potentially Fatal Turn

Paul Steinbach Headshot

The rivalry between the University of Alabama and Auburn has spread off the field to beneath two trees, with the confirmation this week that an Alabama fan poured lethal doses of herbicide on the revered oaks at Toomer's Corner near the Auburn campus. For generations, the 130-year-old trees have served as a post-game gathering place for fans after Auburn victories. Revelers cover the trees in toilet paper - a tradition known as "rolling."

On Thursday, police arrested 62-year-old Harvey Almorn Updyke and charged him with first-degree criminal mischief. On Jan. 27, a radio show caller identifying himself as "Al from Dadeville" admitted to poisoning the trees a week after the 2010 Iron Bowl. The vandalism was apparently carried out in retaliation of a 1983 incident in which Auburn fans rolled Toomer's Corner the day Alabama coaching legend Paul "Bear" Bryant died. Updyke said he had recently seen a newspaper clipping of the incident. He ended his call by saying "Roll Damn Tide."

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