Yes, the traditional Tennessee-Alabama cigar is against the rules

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Collegiate football's rule book is thick - hundreds of do's and don'ts, directives and contingencies for virtually every occurrence that takes place on the field.

But one particular rule prohibiting a certain act by players, coaches and staff members is ignored once a year, owing to a decades-long rivalry and a longstanding tradition.

That tradition: the post-game cigar enjoyed by the winning team of the Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Tennessee Volunteers rivalry game every third Saturday in October.

THE QUESTION

Is cigar smoking prohibited by NCAA rules?

OUR SOURCES

The NCAA rules

Rules of Conduct at Bryant-Denny Stadium and Neyland Stadium

THE ANSWER

Yes, cigar smoking is explicitly forbidden under NCAA and venue rules - but it tends to be ignored for this annual tradition.

WHAT WE FOUND

The tradition of the post-game stogie has its roots in 1961, where legend has it Alabama trainer Jim Goostree fired one up... while naked as a jaybird, no less... in a celebratory locker room dance after their win against the Volunteers.

Since then it's been commonplace to see clouds of gray-blue smoke from either side of the stands depending on who won. And the tradition has carried on at either venue.

This continued into modern times in spite of changes in etiquette, federal smoking laws and the bylaws of the NCAA. Indeed, the collegiate athletic authority says in no uncertain terms, "Tobacco use in all forms is prohibited" by players and faculty during games, but also says it's also not allowed while at the venue. 

Bryant-Denny Stadium and Neyland also have smoke-free policies.

But, just like the tearing-down of the goalposts Saturday at Neyland, you can politely ask people not to partake, but chances are tradition will continue to win out by the masses.