We all have people who have affected our lives a lot without us realizing it. One of those people for you might be Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia and a huge Alabama fan.
The guy who founded Wikipedia went to Auburn first but still roots for Bama
We know this in part because of Wikipedia.
Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Wales helped launch Wikipedia back in 2001, before it grew into the behemoth you probably used earlier today.
Wikipedia’s Wikipedia page says that, so you know it’s true. He’s sometimes considered the main founder, though there’s been controversy over the status of one co-founder.
Wales grew up in Alabama and then did what some may find unforgivable.
He received his bachelor’s degree in finance from Auburn University and his master’s degree in finance from the University of Alabama. He then entered the PhD program at Indiana University, but did not write the doctoral dissertation required for a PhD due to what he described as “boredom.”
While fan allegiances often skew toward where someone did their undergrad, Wales actually grew up a Tide fan before doing his at Auburn.
One big event when Wales was 12 seems to have helped craft his long-time Alabama fandom.
He once told ESPN The Magazine that his favorite moment rooting on the Tide came in the 1979 Sugar Bowl against Penn State. He called Bama’s famous goal-line stand against Penn State “the single best moment of college football in history. Quite possibly the single best moment in all sports history. Maybe I am biased, but anyone who makes a top 10 list without putting that one on there is just a very sad and confused individual.”
The Tide gave Penn State the ball with a fumble that set the Nittany Lions up in the red zone with a chance to tie the game with just over seven minutes left. Bama led, 14-7.
Penn State got well inside the 1-yard line but couldn’t punch it in on two straight plays, and the Tide held on to win, after the teams traded a few more late stops. The only reason Alabama and PSU played was that Bear Bryant called Joe Paterno and convinced him to go to the Sugar Bowl instead of the more publicized Orange Bowl later on New Year’s night. The Sugar kicked at 2 p.m. ET, and wouldn’t have the audience the Orange would. That mattered, because pollsters wouldn’t vote for a national champ they hadn’t watched.
So, the final time Bryant attained national glory has staying power for millions, including the dude who founded Wikipedia.
Even if he went to Auburn for a brief spell, the moment always stuck with Wales. Oddly enough it was notable for another reason because it was the game Alabama unveiled its mascot Big Al to fans. I found all that out from Wikipedia.
See More:
