Iron in the Blood: How the Alabama vs. Auburn Rivalry Shaped the Soul of the South

"Tells the story of college football in the South in the best way it can be told: through the annual exercise of pleasure and pain." --Wall Street Journal

"A football history that's both detailed and panoramic. As expected for a football book, Busbee offers a generous serving of play-by-play, game-by-game, fight song, and mascot details, but in a well-organized structure and smoothly flowing text." --Booklist

The story of college football in Alabama is the story of the South itself. This behind-the-scenes account of the Alabama vs. Auburn rivalry, one of the fiercest in American sports, details its rich history, celebrates the triumphs of both teams, and showcases the larger-than-life power of football to break down barriers and shape an entire culture.

For Alabama and Auburn, football isn't life. It's much more important than that. Their rivalry is a multigenerational one, fueled by rage and redemption, and they clash every autumn with ferocity and defiance. But the shockwaves of their feud have transcended the football field, entering into politics, advancing civil rights, energizing millions, and opening up eyes and hearts in a way even religion never could.

Yahoo Sports senior writer Jay Busbee traces the perpetual impact of football in Alabama, from the days of Reconstruction, through the Civil Rights era, to the hyper-partisan climate of the 2020s. From Bear to Bo, from Cam to Nick, from Toomer's Corner to Denny Chimes, Iron in the Blood revels in the victories of both schools and dives deep into the iconic figures connected with both programs.

Iron in the Blood is an up-close look at one of America's most colorful sports rivalries, but it's also a glimpse into the joy and agony of being a die-hard football fan. It's the dramatic history of how football has defined a state, inside and outside its stadiums. And it's the story of how Alabama understands that football is both a magnificent way to celebrate its brightest days and a welcome path to climb out of its darkest ones.

Author: Jay Busbee
Publisher: Matt Holt Books
Published: 08/26/2025
Pages: 304
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.10lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.00w x 1.40d
ISBN: 9781637747162


Review Citation(s):
Booklist 07/01/2025 pg. 17

About the Author
Jay Busbee is a senior writer for Yahoo Sports, where he's covered the Olympics, the Super Bowl, the World Series, the Masters, the Daytona 500, the Kentucky Derby and, of course, the Iron Bowl. He is also the host of NASCAR Studios' "Home Turn" travel/history show, and he writes a weekly Southern culture Substack newsletter, Flashlight & A Biscuit. Jay's work has been honored by Best American Sports Writing and his book Earnhardt Nation, a biography of NASCAR's Earnhardt family, won praise from both Kirkus and Publishers Weekly for its in-depth research and narrative scope. He lives in Atlanta with his family and worships at the church of SEC football.