Former President Donald Trump announced that he would be in attendance for the top-four matchup between the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs and the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide in Week 5.
Because of Trump's expected presence at the game, there is a need for heightened security and on Thursday, Alabama announced a handful of measures that would be put into effect at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Alabama distributed a news release on the “heightened security” at the Saturday football game against Georgia. pic.twitter.com/qUVtkxabZW
— Michael Casagrande (@ByCasagrande) September 26, 2024
Security changes for Georgia at Alabama
- Removal of pin-on buttons
- Removal of jewelry
- Removal of all items in pockets
- Screening similar to TSA checkpoints
- Belts and shoes may remain on
Fans who fly into Tuscaloosa for the game will basically have a practice run at getting into Bryant-Denny for the game.
Not only is Alabama recommending that fans arrive at the stadium two hours prior to kickoff, but the football program recommends that attendees familiarize themselves with the stadium layout, download their tickets ahead of time, and be prepared to go through a more strict security line.
The announcement said that if any fans set off the initial metal detector that they pass through, the security team will utilize a wand to more thoroughly screen the attendees. Ticket holders must go through their specified security checkpoint, assigned to fans in accordance with where their seats are located.
Trump is one of six former Presidents who played football in college, having played at New York Military Academy.
This is the third Alabama game that former President Trump will have attended, having gone to Crimson Tide matchups in 2018 and 2019. It is the second Georgia game Trump has attended as he was at the National Championship between the Bulldogs and Crimson Tide at the end of the 2017 season.
Alabama and Georgia are scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. CT on ABC/ESPN+.