Reviewed by: Nathan Watson
Donald Trump expected to attend the Alabama-Georgia game: Here’s what you need to know
Reading time: 3 minutes
After a few days of rumors, the University of Alabama released a brief statement about a visit from former President Donald Trump.
Trump is expected to make the trip to Tuscaloosa for the Crimson Tide’s game against Georgia on Sept. 28. Keep reading to find out what the university had to say + Trump’s history of attending Alabama football games.
‘Safe and positive gameday’
The university said Trump was invited to the game by a private citizen and was expected to attend. Now, the university and the city of Tuscaloosa will have to prepare for any potential protests or backlash from Trump’s supporters or opponents.
“The safety of our campus is and will remain our top priority, and UAPD will work closely with the U.S. Secret Service and other law enforcement partners to coordinate security. Like for every UA football game, walk-through metal detectors will be in place and the clear bag policy will be strictly enforced. Additional safety measures will be enacted in collaboration with local and federal agencies, so fans are encouraged to arrive early to expedite the security screening process. The University’s focus will continue to be ensuring a safe and positive gameday experience for the student-athletes, fans of both teams, and all campus visitors.”
~ University of Alabama
While most stadium security will resemble a normal gameday, increased security measures are expected around campus and around the city.
Metal detectors will still be used to get inside the stadium and the university’s clear bag policy will be strictly enforced.
The Tuscaloosa Police Department has not yet made a public statement on the game or Trump’s visit.
Alabama vs. Georgia
It’s not a major surprise to see the former president decide to make a stop for this game. It’s the most anticipated regular season game of the college football season and it includes a team from a swing state.
Both teams are off this week so this will likely feature a top-5 matchup at Bryant-Denny Stadium for what will be the Crimson Tide’s SEC opener.
Trump attended a game at Bryant-Denny Stadium as the sitting president in 2019, watching Joe Burrow’s LSU team get a road win over the Crimson Tide. He also saw Alabama play in the 2018 national championship game against Georgia, leaving at halftime with the Bulldogs leading by double digits before Alabama came back to win.
Both of those games were prior to Trump being charged for attempting to overturn the 2020 election.
What do you think about Trump coming to the game in Tuscaloosa? Let us know by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn.
