Magic City Classic: A house divided for former band members
Anthony and Bethany Redeaux
Anthony and Bethany Redeaux have no interest in seats on the 50-yard line at Saturday’s Magic City Classic. The Jefferson County couple say they’ll be perfectly content in their end zone seats.
“It’s neutral ground,” says Anthony, who proudly identifies himself as a Hornet – a black and gold-wearing Alabama State University Hornet.
His wife of seven years, Bethany, proudly identifies herself as a Bulldog. She’ll be dressed in maroon and white from head to toe Saturday when the state’s two largest historically black universities clash at Legion Field for the 74th time.
Their marriage brings on a question – can Hornets and Bulldogs get along?
The Redeauxs say they make it happily through the Classic and the entire football season because they understand each other, and accept their differences.
“We sit in the end zone because we can watch both bands from the same angle, and we don’t have to choose sides as a family,” Bethany said.
“I let the action on the field speak for itself,” says Anthony.
Marching band alums
She played flute in the Alabama A&M marching band. Her husband played baritone in the Alabama State band.
For the Redeauxs and many of the people attending the Classic, the halftime show competition is almost as important as the four quarters played by the guys in pads.
“We’ll have the best show this year. We’ve got the best band. And this time, I don’t think Anthony will disagree,” said Bethany, a Birmingham educator.
Anthony gave props to the A&M band and said he likes what the new band director is doing with the music and presentation.
The Redeauxs start getting hyped for the game at least a week in advance.
“We place the flags on the cars. The Bulldog flags are on my car, and the Hornet flags are on his. When we go to the game, we have one of each flag,” said Bethany.
The Redeaux’s have been married for seven years.
Sometimes the Redeauxs actually buy school paraphernalia as gifts for each other, and their 3-year-old daughter, Brooke.
“If I am out, and I see something I know she will like, I’ll get it,” Anthony said.
Bethany said she’s bought school wear for her husband, but it is difficult to find a wide selection in the Birmingham area.
Anthony said some of his friends tease him about marrying a Bulldog lady, but he doesn’t mind. He even proposed to her during an Alabama A&M homecoming game.
“We were there in the band section among all of her friends, and I did it,” Anthony said. “I knew she would want her friends to share in the moment, and that was important.”
So during a quiet moment at halftime in the Alabama A&M stadium in 2007, he popped the question.
“I care so much for her, I just accept the fact that she is a Bulldog,” Anthony said.
