Senior Bowl 2021

Earlier this week, the Reese's Senior Bowl, Board of Trustees announced that they are moving the annual game from Ladd Peebles Stadium to Hancock Whitney Stadium. Although the Senior Bowl has been played at Ladd Peebles Stadium since 1951, the stadium hasn't seen too many modern changes or upgrades over the years. This multi year deal with the University of South Alabama will allow the players, NFL reps, and coaches access to brand new facilities, meeting rooms and other necessary amenities.

Because of many speculations over the past few years about the outdated Ladd Peebles Stadium, this deal doesn't come in as a surprise. In 2009 Jacksonville, Tampa, and even Dallas all made moves to potentially get the game hosted in their cities.

Ladd Stadium is rich in college football history. The stadium hosted its first football game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Vanderbilt Commodores on October 2, 1948. And since then have been the past home of University of South Alabama Jags, countless bowl games for college football and even home to quite a few high schools as well. So for the Senior Bowl to be moving away, it seems like a break in tradition but a well needed departure.

Some locals have mixed feelings about the move, believing that taking the game away from Ladd could potentially cause a ripple effect of all the other games being hosted there. In a article published by Fox10’s Tyler Fingert, Ann Davis, Chairman of Ladd-Peebles Stadium Board said “We'd like them to stay, We'd like them to be happy at Ladd.” “If they think newer is better, so be it,” Davis said. “We have other things in the works.

Senior Bowl Executives released this statement,

"Fans will enjoy premiere food and beverage selections inside the stadium, acers of grassy pre-game tailgating and RV areas around the stadium, and thousands of reserved on-campus parking spaces supported by fan shuttle buses. For the first time in the game’s history, fans and NFL personnel will have access to chair- and bench-back seating, indoor and outdoor private suites, and premium club and loge seats with complimentary access to the indoor club level food and beverage.

Fans and NFL participants will enjoy the state-of-the-art technologies of Hancock Whitney Stadium, including the mega video board and sound system, an easy-to-use online seat and parking space ordering system, and an option for paperless entry into the stadium.

NFL coaches, scouts, and players will be best accommodated by the University of South Alabama’s pristine weightlifting and sports medicine amenities, first class indoor and outdoor practice facilities, and brand-new locker room and meeting areas."

There are plenty of pros and cons about this decision. Let us know in the comment section below on if you feel this move is right or not.