Former players excited to see Tuskegee Morehouse Classic return to Columbus
Columbus, Ga – The Tuskegee University Golden Tigers and the Morehouse College Maroon Tigers have squared off in the “Grand Daddy of all HBCU Classics” since the early 1900s. After a three year hiatus from it’s traditional home in Birmingham, Alabama the “Tuskegee Morehouse Classic” is coming back to Columbus. Former players say this is the rightful place for this rivalry game.
“So if you look at that it’s only been somewhere else two years. So how you can deny that Columbus, the Fountain City, as the place to be for Tuskegee Morehouse?,” said former Golden Tiger football player and Tuskegee University Hall of Famer Edward Gregory Dawson Jr.
“To have this little 3 year hiatus going over to Birmingham where it didn’t belong and now it’s coming back home to Columbus. And I know that I’m looking forward to being back down there. I think it’s October 5th this year, so I’m looking forward to going back down there,” said Tim Turner, Morehouse College Class of 1983.
The Tuskegee Morehouse Classic also acts like a homecoming for players on both sides of the rivalry that call the Chattahoochee Valley home. Players like Tuner and Dawson grew up in the Fountain City watching this rivalry game. When it was their turn to take the field at AJ McClung Memorial Stadium they didn’t want to lose.
“You’re coming home to play. You’re playing in front of the home crowd. You know that home crowd has your friends, your classmates, your cousins, your aunties, your mama, your daddy, your grandparents and everyone else. I mean it’s the biggest of deals right? You definitely don’t want to come home and lose in front of the crowd,” said Dawson.
It’s not just the players and the fans that make this game special to Columbus, but it’s also the history. The Tuskegee Morehouse Classic was established as game that the soldiers stationed at Fort Moore, formerly known as Fort Benning, and for the African American families in the valley area. The “Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry” between Auburn and Georgia was played at AJ McClung Memorial Stadium, but in the segregated South not everyone could attend the game.
Now times have changed, but the Tuskegee Morehouse Classic’s popularity still remains high. Even Hollywood superstars like Denzel Washington have attended the Tuskegee Morehouse Classic. Now for the 85th version of this historic rivalry game it’s back home and according to the former players this is the rightful place for the game.
“It’s where it belongs because of the history. It should always be played there. I mean I know you have the Fountain City Classic which is there. I think having those games in that stadium are really special. I think Tuskegee Morehouse is probably the most special if not the best ones anywhere in the country,” said Turner.
While the game is still a few months away former players are already confident in what the outcome will be.
“I think what’s going to happen is that we’re going to beat them by at least 14,” said Turner.
“You know who’s taking it, Golden Tigers all the way. We lead the series and we’ll continue to do so. I don’t see any reason why we’d be losing to Morehouse,” said Dawson.
The Golden Tigers and the Maroon Tigers will kick off on October 5th in Columbus.
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