A controversial call. A mob. A halted game. How Tennessee vs. Alabama football series began

The first football game played between Alabama and Tennessee had just ended in shame, and a prominent Birmingham city official pondered whether the sport itself had a future in his city.

A gorgeous Thanksgiving afternoon on Nov. 28, 1901, at West End Park in Birmingham turned ugly when fans stormed the field during the second half in protest of a controversial offsides call against the home team.