The story of how "Where's damn Eagle?!" became "War Eagle" (long)

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Back in the 1950's, Auburn had a Senior QB named Billy Eagle. Auburn nation loved him, and explained to me that Billy Eagle was the 1950's version of Johnny Manziel. Eagle led the Tigers offensive attack that season and the fans adored him. But something happened before their game with the Georgia Bulldogs. Billy came down with a bad stomach virus that game day. He was in no shape to play and together with the coaches decided that he would have to sit out. This was way before the internet and cell phones so none of the fans had any idea that Billy would not be able to play.

Well the first half went terrible for the Auburn offense. They could not move the ball a lick without Billy Eagle behind center. The Auburn fans quickly realized Bill's absence and started asking each other "Where's Eagle?". As Georgia built their lead and the Auburn offense stumbled further the questions became louder almost shouts, "Where's Eagle!"..... "WHERE'S EAGLE!"

At halftime Auburn found themselves down 20 points to the Bulldogs and the offense could hardly muster a first down without Billy Eagle at the helm. The crowd grew to a fever pitch, and the chants in the stadium sounded like a roar, "WHERE'S EAGLE!!" "WHERE"S EAGLE". Now if you know any Auburn fans, you understand that when they are trying to say "where's Eagle?" To a normal person it sounds just like, "wars Eagle? .....wars Eagle?..... ...............WARS EAGLE!"

Billy Eagle was in the locker room and heard the "Where's Eagle!" chants. This moved him so that he decided, despite his stomach virus, he was going to suit up for the second half and take the field. The Auburn Nation roared seeing him back on the field. And immediately he went to work leading the Tigers to their first Touchdown drive.... When it was time for the Auburn offense to come back on the field again, the auburn nation chanted "Where's Eagle!" to assure that he would be back again on the field. And Billy did not disappoint coming out each and every drive, making plays all over the field. As he mounted the comeback over Georgia, the Barn Fans continued there chanting of "Where's Eagle?" in the hopes that the comeback would not fall short. And on that day it did not. Billy Eagle scored at the end of the game to give Auburn the win and the place went into a frenzy.

The team did not even get to go to the locker room as they were rushed out of the stadium to celebrate with the fans at Toomer's Corner. It was an unbelievable scene and Billy Eagle was at the center of it. However, Billy's stomach virus had not gone away during this time, and by now it had gotten his stomach in an awful shape. Billy had to go to the bathroom in the worst way yet he was surrounded by a throng of people so deep in the center of town, he knew he would never make it. And that is when he looked up, and did the only thing he thought he could do, (besides poop his pants). And he saw a great big old tree, and Billy began to climb, higher and higher, deep into the tree. So high up the crowd could not even see him anymore. And there he was able to take a huge crap at the top of the tree. A few of his teammates knew his condition, so they all ran to the corner store to help Billy Eagle out. They came back with rolls of toilet paper and started throwing them up at the tree, to give Billy something to wipe with. Of course they are Auburn players, so they could not remember which tree he climbed. So they just started throwing toilet rolls up in all the trees, in the hopes that Billy could wipe his butt. The fans loved this, having no idea what they were doing, but they went and grabbed rolls of toilet paper as well and soon all the trees were covered with toilet paper. It was a day that will never be forgotten and a tradition was born.

The next 50+ seasons would be long ones for the most part for the Tigers. However they would never forget this day, so before games they would all ask each other "Wars Eagle?" and then they would yell it to each other, "Wars Eagle!" in the hopes that the spirit of Billy Eagle would come back and lead them to victory. They would also yell this question to opposing fan bases, each and every time they saw us with the same "Where's Eagle!" (Wars Eagle), as this question was supposed to strike fear in us that Billy Eagle may return for the game. And when Auburn did manage to pull out a victory, they would all go running back to those old trees and throw toilet paper in them, just in case Billy's spirit had to go up in one of the trees and take another crap.

Now that, ahem, the trees are gone. You almost have to feel sorry for the Auburn faithful as they are left wondering around after games, on where to find Billy Eagle pooping. So they just start throwing toilet paper anywhere they can think he might be, Clotheslines, tops of stop lights, big bushes, tops of cars, etc. Whatever, it takes to get their legend his toilet paper.

Now that I know the meaning behind "War Eagle", that it is actually a question on "Where's Eagle?", I have found myself trying to help them out. When Auburn fans walk up to me and ask, "Where's Eagle?" I try to kindly shrug my shoulders and move on. Lots of times I have found this does not work, and the questions become louder, "Where's Eagle! Where's Eagle!!!! WHERE"S DAMN EAGLE!!!!" I have no choice to respond, "HECK! I don't know , have you checked up in that tree over there?"

- Ebamak

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