I was born and raised in southeastern Alabama, speak without a Southern accent, have all my teeth (and zero cavities) and a well-paying job, live in a nice house and have a degree from the University of Alabama.

Wait … what?  You mean I’m not a redneck, and I went to Alabama?  That’s impossible!  All Alabama fans and graduates are toothless and uneducated rednecks!

It’s true, yet for many of my friends and co-workers, they love to throw the “Alabama redneck” title around.  I know many of them are not directing it toward me personally, but I have an unbelievable amount of school pride.  When they make these generalized comments, it angers me, no matter how much I love them.

The worst part is they either went to schools in the Southeastern Conference with just as many redneck fans, or they didn’t go to college at all.  Heck, I know of a few that never finished high school.

I am beyond excited that Alabama won the football national championship again a couple of days ago, but I also loathe a lot of the “fans” that are now bringing all this stereotypical venom down on us alums.  Too many fairweather people have cropped up lately.

I guess what I’m trying to say is, especially to my friends from rival schools (that perhaps actually like me), please consider all of your loved ones before you spew your hatred for my school.  I honestly try to do the same for you and yours.

Besides, my UA degree got me an awesome job at Auburn, and I love it.