Auburn High School recently presented the Altizer brothers, Oakie (left) and Russell, with team jackets for their 20-plus years on the sidelines as members of the chain gang.
Holding the chains on the sideline for a high school football game is not all that glamourous, but for Riner’s Russell Altizer, it has become a way of life on Friday nights for the past 37 years.
Altizer is a farmer and bus driver by day, then joins his brother, Oakie, and Bull Teel on the sidelines at Auburn High School home football games.
Last month, Altizer worked his 200th game on the sidelines. That’s an average of five games a year—meaning he has worked almost every game since the fall of 1979.
“We do it in rain, cold, snow and miserable games,” he said earlier this week.
Altizer started holding the chains after graduating the school. He has always supported the Auburn football program, but his brother twisted his arm to join in the “excitement” on the sidelines.
Oakie has worked 201 games while Teel is pushing 204.
“I really don’t remember why we all started. Bull holds the down marker, and me and Oakie have each of the chains,” Altizer said. “I like going on Friday nights. It’s the best seat in the house to watch the game.”
The younger Altizer is the first to admit the group is not as fast as they used to be. That means they also don’t move out of the way also like they used to when the ball carrier comes running towards them.
They all will keep doing the small chore as long as their health allows it.
Recently, the school honored the trio by giving them their own Auburn “letter” jacket. There has also been an occasional special recognition at the ball games.
Both Altizer brothers spend the majority of their time working on the family farm. They also drive a school bus for the Montgomery County school system.
“We share a love of farming and holding the chains,” Russell joked.
When the team goes on the road, Altizer is also there. He drives the cheerleaders to and from away games.