Growing up in Atlanta, Robert Mathis knew little about the Magic City Classic.

But during his freshman season at Alabama A&M he quickly discovered that it was one of the top football rivalries among historically black colleges and universities (HBCU). The annual A&M-Alabama State game at Legion Field in Birmingham has the largest attendance of any HBCU game in the nation.

“I didn’t know the true magnitude of it,” Mathis said in a phone interview from Indianapolis. “There were 70 thousand-plus fans in the stadium and the bands, the tailgating – it was truly magical.”

Mathis, 34, in his 15th season with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, is a six-time Pro Bowl defensive end/linebacker and a Super Bowl champion, but he vividly remembers that 1999 game against archrival Alabama State that the Bulldogs won 15-10 to cap his senior season.

“We scored on a last-second touchdown,” he recalled. “The guy who scored it was named, ironically, Michael Jackson. He caught the ball and you could see the explosion it set off on the A&M side. That’s something that will stay with me forever.”

Mathis and the maroon-clad Bulldogs went 3-1 against the black and gold Hornets during his four seasons. “I’m happy to say I had a winning record against the Montgomery crew,” Mathis said.

But the Hornets lead the all-time series 39-36-3, thanks to winning the first seven games between the schools and 10 of the first 11. The series started in 1924. It has been an uninterrupted, annual tradition since 1945 and has been played at Legion Field since 1946.

Classic stats

Alabama A & M head football coach James Spady (l) celebrates along with staff and players.

The Classic has become the highest attended Football Champion Subdivision (FCS) game in the nation and reportedly has an economic impact of more than $20 million. The attendance at Legion Field averages between 60,000–80,000 annually.

Second-year A&M coach James Spady earned a victory in his first taste of the rivalry in 2014 as the Bulldogs rallied for a thrilling 37-36 win. He’s ready for the 74th renewal at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The game will be shown live on ESPN3 with a tape delay replay on ESPNU.

“It’s one of the most important things we do,” Spady said. “I’ve been looking forward to it since last year.”

First-year Alabama State coach Brian Jenkins tried to downplay his role.

“As far as the Magic City Classic, it is what it is,” Jenkins said. “You know this thing is big and everybody is excited about the game. I’m excited about it, but my philosophy and my mindset is we look at every game the same and we prepare for every game the same.

“We know what’s on the line. We know the fans, the alumni, the boosters and what the Magic City Classic means to them. They will be ready and hopefully we will be mentally strong enough and physically prepared to hopefully win this game.”

Classic atmosphere

Winning the game is important for bragging rights, but Mathis said the Classic is more than just what happens on the field.

“It’s a great atmosphere,” Mathis said. “The people involved are what make it special, not just the players, but the bands, the alumni, the students, the teachers, the people in Montgomery and the Rocket City.”

Mathis has had little chance to attend the Classic since he went to the NFL.

“I haven’t made it down in close to 10 years, but when my career is over I’m going to take a peek every chance I get,” he said. “I had a lot of good times playing in that game.”