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Alabama Staffer May Have Jinxed Team With Pregame Victory Cigar Against Tennessee

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On the third Saturday in October, every October, the Alabama Crimson Tide and Tennessee Volunteers meet in one of college football’s greatest rivalries.

Since 1961, the team that comes out on top has always celebrated with ceremonial victory cigars, a tradition started by Alabama trainer Jim Goostree.

Josh Chapman, who currently serves as the Director of Player Development for the Crimson Tide, went 4-0 as a player against Tennessee. But on Saturday, he just may have jinxed his team when he walked into the game with a victory cigar already in mouth.

Unfortunately for Chapman, his confidence didn’t pay off as the Tide fell to the Vols, 24-17, in a result that likely puts Alabama on the cusp of College Football Playoff elimination.

Alabama rose to No. 1 in the polls after a stunning home victory over Georgia less than a month ago. But a loss on the road at Vanderbilt sent Bama crashing back down to earth, and after narrowly escaping a home loss to South Carolina, the Tide once again finds itself on the wrong end of the scoreboard.

Fans are placing blame at the feet of several people. First-year head coach Kalen DeBoer is at the top of the list. As is quarterback Jalen Milroe, who went 25-of-45 for 239 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.

But the next most popular figure to catch blame appears to be Chapman, who fans believe cursed the Tide with his preemptive celebration.

Did Chapman’s brash attitude actually change the outcome? Probably not. Would I go online calling a former NFL defensive lineman a moron? Absolutely not!

But it’s also true that his behavior likely would not have been allowed under Nick Saban. And you look like a bit of a fool if it backfires, which it did this time around.

So maybe next time DeBoer might want to make sure his staff, and his team, save the celebratory cigars for after the game is over.