Alabama Auburn Rivalry: Letting Harvey Updyke Speak for 'Bama Is a Huge Mistake

So the rivalry between Alabama and Auburn is kind of a big deal.

We know this because ESPN just delivered this message in the form of their latest documentary, Roll Tide/War Eagle. I'm not about to count it among ESPN's best efforts, but it was pretty good.

One thing you had to like is how many voices ESPN used to get the message across, as they interviewed former players, coaches, radio hosts, fans, et al. It was quite the cast.

Included and featured heavily in said cast was none other than Harvey Updyke. You might not know the name, but he's the guy who poisoned the oak trees at Toomer's Corner at Auburn University. No doubt you heard about that.

If I may be so bold as to utter the understatement of the century, Updyke is a little obsessive when it comes to his Alabama fanhood. In fact, saying he takes it too far doesn't quite cut it. Alabama fans are definitely devoted, but Updyke represents quite the extreme.

Long story short, Updyke probably shouldn't be speaking for Alabama fans. In fact, featuring him as heavily as ESPN did borders on being disrespectful to the rest of the Alabama faithful.

But hey, don't take my word for it. All you have to do is type Updyke's name into Twitter and see what comes up. 

Below are some of the best tweets I've seen so far.

Here's a couple good ones from self-proclaimed 'Bama recruiting expert Jimmy Stein:

And here's a couple from outraged fans:

You get the idea. ESPN decided to feature Updyke to make a point about the rivalry, but giving him so much screen time really wasn't the best idea. There are a lot of people who are too outraged to even care about the point ESPN was trying to make.

I'm no Alabama fan, but I don't blame them for being annoyed about this. While plenty of people will understand that Updyke is not a typical Alabama fan, not everyone will. As such, the 'Bama faithful could viewed as guilty by association.

Needless to say, that's not cool.

This has to go into the books as a mistake by ESPN. Updyke had his 15 minutes of fame. There was no reason to give him any more.