Showtime in Birmingham

What do the Birmingham Stallions have to do to put more backsides on the bleachers?

I’m genuinely asking – not wagging my finger. How people spend their own time and money is their business, and I have no business sticking my nose in it.

Still, I wonder, especially with the St. Louis Battlehawks (5-1) bringing their high-octane attack to town on Saturday against the Birmingham Stallions (6-0).

“I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a little bit more excitement and energy and enthusiasm in the building right now,” Birmingham coach Skip Holtz said. “The players’ mindset, the questions being asked, their attention to detail … everybody’s zoned in and everybody’s focused in on what we’ve got to do.

“We know we’re playing a very talented team.”

Although the Magic City has claimed to be the “Football Capital of the South” since Legion Field opened in 1927, Birmingham’s fans-in-the-stands support of professional football has been lacking in recent years.

The Birmingham Thunderbolts of the 2001 XFL averaged 17,002 fans, which was next to last in the eight-team circuit.

The Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football pulled in 14,307 per contest during the ill-fated 2019 season, one that ended after eight weeks.

And the 2022-23 Stallions of the modern USFL? Other than the 17,500 figure that was released for the inaugural game between Birmingham and the New Jersey Generals, officials didn’t announce attendance.

I can tell you, though, that it ranged from not great to awful.

And I just don’t understand, because alt-football is in our DNA, or at least it used to be.

Up until fans realized the World Football League was a house of cards, the Americans drew great crowds. Proud to say I was one of the 54,000-plus in attendance for the Ams’ 58-33 victory over Memphis.

Even though that game was nearly 50 years ago, it still stands as my most memorable in-game experience.

And the original Stallions of United States Football League 1.0 lured 62,500 to their home opener against the New Jersey Generals in 1984.

“But, Scott,” you might say, “those were major league teams … that’s why fans showed up.”

Yes, the WFL and USFL Prime were aspirational in their desire to stand with the NFL, although neither lasted long enough to climb that mountain.

Yet that attendance argument doesn’t hold up.

Jump to 1991 and the Birmingham Fire of the World League of American Football. Opening night at Legion Field – against the Montreal Machine – 52,942 people paid for the privilege to watch the NFL developmental league.

No way to prove it, but I’m pretty sure the best teams in the United Football League could’ve beaten the best teams in WLAF – soundly and regularly.

Which brings us to Saturday’s showdown between the Stallions and Battlehawks at Protective Stadium.

This is easily the marquee matchup of the UFL’s inaugural regular season. It features the Stallions, who sit atop the USFL Conference, and the XFL Conference-leading Battlehawks, winners of five in a row.

“This has got the makings of a great game,” Holtz said. “I’m just glad we have the chance to play in Birmingham, that we get a chance to play a game of this magnitude at home. I know with St. Louis having the largest crowds in the XFL (in 2023) and in the UFL right now, I think Birmingham has an opportunity to show our support and how much we’re enjoying playing in the UFL.

“I’m really looking forward to this weekend.”

St. Louis has averaged more than 35,000 fans for their 2024 home games in The Dome.

On the other hand, a crowd of 12,265 saw Birmingham play its UFL home opener against Memphis, and only 7,262 came out when the Stallions hosted DC.

Maybe I could understand if they were a motley crew of bumbling misfits who can’t win a game.

Instead, they’re 27-3 through just over two and a half seasons of their existence, won back-to-back USFL crowns, and own the longest winning streak in the history of Birmingham-branded pro football teams with 13 consecutive conquests.

And the weather forecast for Saturday’s 3 p.m. start? Clear skies and 75 degrees at kickoff and 65 by the end of the game.

I believe the technical term for that is “Chamber of Commerce Weather.”

Look, I realize the world has changed since I used to spend so much time at Legion Field cheering for the Birmingham Whatevers. There’s more to do, more ways to do it, and anyone interested in watching the UFL can do so from the comfort of their home.

There’s a lot to be said about having a TV, fridge and restroom only a few feet away.

But I keep thinking about some little boy or little girl who has never been to a pro football game, and how cool it would be for them to go to this one – especially if a crowd of 30,000 or so showed up.

Part of being a fan is the fan experience, and trust me – there are some football games you just never forget.

“We have to be able to overcome the circus and the noise that’s going on outside the game, and I love it … I don’t want to lose it. Part of what makes football great is the pageantry and the excitement.

“That’s why we all talk about the more people that can come out and support the game this weekend and support the Stallions and support the UFL and support Birmingham, which is one of the select eight teams in the country that has a (spring) football team, the more electric the atmosphere is, which is what we all want.”

Do what you like, but showing up and showing off on Saturday is something worth considering.

And who knows?

You might even help make Birmingham the “Football Capital of the South” again.

Note: Stallions cornerback Lorenzo Burns, who suffered a frightening injury in Birmingham’s 39-21 victory over Memphis on Saturday, is “on the road to recovery,” according to Holtz.

The coach said Burns will not play against St. Louis but is expected back later in the season.