According to the school, the relationship between elephants and University of Alabama football dates back to 1930, when Atlanta Journal sportswriter Everett Strupper relayed a story from an Alabama-Ole Miss game. The story of how Alabama became associated with the "elephant" goes back to the 1930 season. The story of how Alabama became associated with the "elephant" goes back to the 1930 season when Coach Wallace Wade had assembled a great football team. The maximum amount of time Big Al can spend at your special day: one hour. Nonetheless, a student in a doe-eyed elephant costume struts his stuff at every Bama home game, having become a fixture at one of the states proudest institutions. More than 40 years since Big Al earned the stamp of approval, he's still spreading spirit at Bryant-Denny Stadium and other Alabama athletics events. And then second quarter is kind of their own thing and that will bleed into halftime depending on how long it takes to set up props for the person doing the halftime skit. Tusks grow throughout an elephants lifetime; an individuals tusk length is a useful criterion for age determination as elephants reach physical maturity at around 15 years old. ", Webster: "I think it's on the website too but if a corporate company wants Big Al its $400 to the university. The first elephant to be associated with the team was actually a live animal, brought to games in the early 1900s. The "Red Elephants" rolled over Washington State 24-0 in the Rose Bowl and were declared National Champions. after a little pleading with Coach Bear Bryant tojump on board with anon-field mascot, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Every player is instantly thinking, 'Oh, I'm not here to make it to the NFL. In 1979, he was meeting with the homecoming chairman, Ann Paige, as they were trying to come up with something different for the school's homecoming parade. [Related: VIDEO: Ole Miss streaker gets leveled by security]. Nothing about No. Dickey: "We usually arrive at our cart -- we call it the rammer jammer or the RJ -- we'll arrive five hours before the football game. This isn't just something that people come to the tryout to be Big Al for two days. Since you see out of the corner of your eyes the way they push you up you can see yourself on the screen whenever they put you on the screen. [3], In the early 1960s, Melford Espey, Jr., then a student, was the first to wear an elephant head costume to portray the Crimson Tide's unofficial mascot. He makes appearances at university functions and events, he stars in commercials and public service announcements, and he even has his own line of merchandise. Welcome to my blog, where Ill be discussing the important question of why the Alabama Crimson Tides mascot is an elephant. What Is The Difference Between Bonding And HardWall. Another theory is that elephants are widely considered to be lucky animals, and thus choosing one as a mascot would supposedly bring good luck to the Crimson Tide. . The mascot known as "Big Al" today was the brainchild of University of Alabama student Walt Tart, member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. You have to go all the way back to 1930 to find the origin of Alabama's elephant. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The 1930 team posted an overall 10-0 record. Click to reveal In 1979, he was meeting with the homecoming chairman, Ann Paige, as they were trying to come up with something different for the school's homecoming parade. Since then, the Crimson Tide has had several live elephants as mascots, the most recent of which is named Big Al. The elephant is an excellent choice for a mascot for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a15f357a85d190a There are several reasons why this is so. Big Al, Alabama's elephant mascot, has roamed the sidelines for more than 30 years. The final announcement of the next year's mascot team happens immediately following the spring game. "It was the first time that I had seen it and the size of the entire eleven nearly knocked me cold, men that I had seen play last year looking like they had nearly doubled in size.". In the early days of the University of Alabama (UA), a spirit committee was formed to help boost school morale. Even though the elephant served as a symbol for the team, it took decades for the Big Al mascot to come to fruition. The "Why did the elephant paint its toenails" joke has the elephant painting its nails different colors to hide in different places. During the 1940s, the school kept a live elephant mascot named "Alamite." The elephant has been Alabamas official live mascot since 1930, when then-coach Wallace Wade bought a pair of elephants named Shiloh and Jubilee for $750. From that point, Strupper started calling Alabama the Red Elephants, and the association stuck. Webster: "You can. Why Is An Elephant Alabamas Mascot? So that's kind of looking for the creativity part. William Webster spent four years as Big Al from 2018 to 2021. The first time an elephant was mentioned in relation to Alabama athletics was in 1907, when then-head football coach Eugene Beaumont called his squad a great big blue elephant. The nickname stuck, and in 1931, then-sports editor Everett Strupper of the Atlanta Journal wrote that Alabamas football team had the biggest, grandest show on earth.. As the Crimson Tide does not feature a prominent logo on their helmets or uniforms, Big Al's likeness appears on much of the merchandise. They always get us to the top.". The origin of the mascot dates back to 1930. Q: OK, what's it like wearing that suit? I never felt like I was going to be dropped. The second day consists of more clinic, as well as being judged on the walk and participating in a band cheer. After originally going by "varsity," "Crimson White" (the school colors) and "The Thin Red Line," Birmingham Age-Herald sports editor Hugh Roberts coined the term "Crimson Tide" to describe 'Bama's heroic effort in holding heavily favored Auburn to a 66 tie in a mud-soaked game in 1907 that had the 'Bama players looking like a red tidal wave. If there are enough students in the student section and we're ahead by enough points, Big Al will body surf up the student section, and that's always a fun experience. Espey later became a university administrator, and football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant asked him to take responsibility when student groups asked to resurrect the costumed mascot in the late 1970s.[4]. Instead, the UA spirit committee started hiring elephants, often from traveling circuses passing through or by Tuscaloosa, for every homecoming. We have different people we have to go through to post things on social media. The president came to the football game. Thankfully part of Big Al's character is being clumsy. This could happen for a several reasons, including no shared cipher suites. He is one of the most popular mascots in college sports and was even named national champion by the Universal Cheerleaders Association in 2003. This is where they are scored for going in public in a non-athletic event setting and interacting with the public. The "Red Elephants" rolled over Washington State 24-0 in the Rose Bowl and were declared National Champions. He'll come out and do the fourth quarter things, the traditions. Today, Big Al can be seen at all types of University of Alabama athletic events, not just football. It shut out eight opponents and allowed only 13 points all season while scoring 217. It's pretty much a part-time job. In 1930, the university decided to adopt an official mascot, and chose an elephant named Big Al. Big Al made his debut at the Sugar Bowl that year, and has been a fixture at Alabama football games ever since. So we have to pass a conditioning test to prove we have the athletic stamina to be Big Al. How big is a mammoth compared to an elephant? This could happen for a several reasons, including no shared cipher suites. The elephant, named John Heisman, after the famous coach, was a big hit with students and fans. You get to make everyone's day. The origin of the mascot dates back to 1930. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. [7] The scripted fight suddenly became unscripted after Seymour deviated from the set rules, and a raucous fight on the sidelines between the two ensued. He's played by five different students -- two guys and three girls. Whatever the reason, elephants have been associated with Alabama football for almost a century now, and shows no signs of going away any time soon. Bulls use their tusks aggressively while fighting; elephants also use them for tasks such as moving trees and stripping bark from trees for food. Alabama's mascot is an elephant but they are called the "Crimson Tide" and the war cry is"Roll tide!". The no thumbs -- that takes some getting used to. The mascot made its debut in the 1980 Sugar Bowl, but the first student to don the elephant costume was Melford Espey Jr.22 Sept 2021 Why do they say Roll Tide in Alabama? elephants are also known for their loyalty, which is another trait that makes them well-suited to being a mascot for the Alabama Crimson Tide. LSU in 2019 was probably my favorite environment in sports. He has a signature, so we practice the signature and teach it to other people. Today, Big Al can be seen at all types of University of Alabama athletic events, not just football. After you march them on to the field they will play 'Tusk,' which is sort of Big Al's statement song. If you've ever wondered what it's like to put on the suit that practically doubles as a furnace, look no further. In the 1960s, student Melford Espey would wear an elephant costume to games, much to the delight of legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. Since then, the elephant mascot has been a fan favorite among Tide fans. So at halftime we usually prepare a little short skit where like a costume that Big Al will wear. The first shift is Quad. First and foremost, elephants are strong and powerful animals that convey a sense of strength and power. It's an innate thing that everyone deep down knows but won't admit itI'm kidding. We also have 'Elephant Stomp' which is at Gorgas Library. The 1930 team posted an overall 10-0 record. I think that really helped me in the tryout, being more relaxed and not caring as much about the outcome and caring more about just having a good time, because that's what Big Al would wanna do. We had SEC Nation. Given that they are not indigenous to the North American continent, let alone the general Tuscaloosa area, it may seem odd that an elephant serves as the mascot for the University of Alabamas football team. The cheerleaders will tumble through the end zone. Why is an elephant alabama's mascot? Big Al's game debut was one to remember: The 1979 Sugar Bowl against top-ranked and undefeated Penn State, when a fourth-quarter goal line stand delivered No. Since the early 1900s, the University of Alabama has been associated with the elephant. We're not just some kid that's dressing up. Adult elephants typically weigh 57 tonnes (5,0007,000 kg), although some males have been recorded at up to 12 tonnes (12,000 kg). Over time, showerheads can become clogged with deposits of calcium, magnesium, lime, silica, and other minerals. Whatever its origins, the elephant quickly became a popular symbol for the Crimson Tide, appearing in newspaper cartoons and on team merchandise. First of all, the elephant is a very strong animal, and this is representative of the strength of the Alabama Crimson Tide football team. You get better at it after a few months being in suit. He'll also drop in on your nuptials, if youre willing to pony up his $400 wedding appearance fee. 167.114.26.66 He is known for his enthusiastic pers. A sportswriter named Everett Strupper wrote about how head coach Wallace Wade's Alabama team's big and aggressive linemen resembled elephants after pounding . Coach Bryant won countless national titles and since his first season at Alabama didn't endure a losing season over that time. Instead, the school's "Spirit Planning Committee" started hiring elephants often from traveling circuses passing through or by Tuscaloosa for every homecoming. We talked to two Big Als -- one who currently plays him and one who used to -- to understand exactly what life as 'Bama's mascot is like. The biggest part that we do as a team is we work out. That was definitely the most challenging event, but it was definitely the most rewarding because I think I got the most out of that one. This fits in well with the tradition and history of the Alabama Crimson Tide, which is one of the most prestigious college football teams in the country. Big Al is the costumed elephant mascot of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. What is Alabama's football mascot? The varsity team was composed of big men, & when they ran out onto the field, the bleachers shook. When those big brutes hit you I mean you go down and stay down, often for an additional two minutes. So Quad is everything that happens before Big Al even arrives in the stadium. Strupper and other writers continued to refer to the Alabama linemen as "Red Elephants," the color referring to the crimson jerseys. In the 1960s, student Melford Espey would wear an elephant costume to games, much to the delight of legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. We do have a roster on rolltide.com. The other guy who was there was Big Al, and this one dude came up and started pushing on Big Al. [3] By the 1950s, keeping a live elephant year-round proved to be too expensive for the University. In the 1960s, student Melford Espey would wear an elephant costume to games, much to the delight of legendary coach Paul Bear Bryant. Elephantidae is the only surviving family of the order Proboscidea; other, now extinct, members of the order include deinotheres, gomphotheres, mammoths, and mastodons. Crowd surfing is kind of a five minute lay-down-catch-your-breath situation. ANSWER. Photo courtesy of William Webster. On October 8, 1930, a sportswriter for the Atlanta Journal, Everett Strupper, wrote about the previous weekend's Alabama-Ole Miss football game. Q: Are people allowed to know that you're Big Al? When Bryant shot down the elephant mascot idea, that was that. Compared to its more fearsome mascot counterparts around the country like LSU's live tiger, Mike, Big Al looks like a big stuffed animal. What gives? Strupper wrote a story on October 8, 1930, describing Alabama's college football team after watching them pound Mississippi, 64-0, on October 4. The Elephant Story. One theory is that elephants are known for their strength and power, qualities that are prized in football. Why Did Alabama Pick an Elephant as a Mascot Alabama, like most universities, chose an animal as their mascot to represent their school. Aubie (a tiger) and an eagle. But there is a little bit of pressure about image. Strupper and other writers continued to refer to the Alabama linemen as "Red Elephants," the color referring to the crimson jerseys. Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped the Alabama varsity. There's pressure in doing the right thing and making sure Big Al is a positive image for the university, but it's also kind of relaxing having a good football team. While there is no official explanation for why an elephant was chosen as Alabamas mascot, there are a few theories. He's a very unconventional mascot in general. So Big Al wearing his white jersey is a part of that tradition. Henry "Zipp" Newman, who became the sports editor of the Birmingham News at the age of 25, helped popularize the nickname. The school still refused, however, to acknowledge the elephant as an official mascot. The John's Creek, Georgia, native studied finance and communications studies before graduating earlier this year. Bryant was very easy to talk to and teased them about having a real elephant on the field and the mess it would make. With thousands of articles covering everything from do-it-yourself repairs to tips on parenting, Arew has something for everyone. The gray, anthropomorphic elephant has been the team's official mascot since 1979, when Bear Bryant finally approved the trunked animal despite a history that dates back to 1930. Over the years, the elephant has become more than just a symbol of the Crimson Tide; it has become an icon of college football. how big is a woolly mammoth compared to an elephant. But it would be nearly five decades until Alabama recognized the animal as its official mascot. A majority of the fan base is actually caring about the game, so you can focus on the little kids and the people who really want to see Big Al. How hot is it? He'll also drop in on your nuptials, if youre willing to pony up his $400 wedding appearance fee. Of course, Big Al has very rigorous training to make sure that we're not going to do anything questionable.". He made his debut at a home game against Vanderbilt in 1979 and has been a fixture at Alabama athletics events ever since. When she's not blogging or spending time with her family, you can usually find her rooting around in the garden or at the hardware store. The 1930 team posted an overall 10-0 record. We both went to the tryout together. In addition to being the live mascot at Crimson Tide football games, Big Al is also used in a number of other ways to represent the university. I'm here to make Big Al proud.' The mascot represents the strength and power of the Crimson Tide, and its presence on the sidelines is a source of inspiration for the teams players. Later that afternoon, the candidates come either prepared with a minute-and-a-half skit or they can make an impromptu one at tryouts. The Million Dollar Band performing at a football game. It's just kind of a little thing we do. Another theory is that it was inspired by a 1903 news article about then-Alabama head coach Mike Donahue, who was said to have a huge and strong team that was unstoppable like an elephant.. It's kind of about the kids. The story of how Alabama became associated with the "elephant" goes back to the 1930 season when Coach Wallace Wade had assembled a great football team. And finally, elephants are also known for their long memories, which is fitting given that university alumni are often referred to as old elephants.. An excited fan yelled "The elephants are coming!" & the title stuck. We'll get all of our equipment over, all of our props for the day over to the stadium. The fact that he's an elephant, it's just not something you see very often. It was clear that Crimson Tide Nation's obsession with the pachyderm would not cease. The History of the Alabama Crimson Tide's Elephant Mascot. That's just Big Al.' In addition to leading the football team onto the field before each game, Big Al also participates in community outreach programs and makes appearances at university functions. Both sexes have tusks, which are modified upper incisors. He received a price quote from Disney for the design and construction of the elephant costume. The "Big Al" mascot officially debuted at the 1979 Sugar Bowl, when the 1979 Alabama Crimson Tide football team defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks. You have to fast-forward 23 years to come upon the first mention of elephants to describe Alabama football. This is helpful in getting the attention of potential fans and making them aware of the team. Bryant said he thought elephants were very smart and a little slow, but approved the funds for the elephant costume. With Bryant's support, the university made an elephant. Q: How does being Big Al work with multiple people? The story of how Alabama became associated with the "elephant" goes back to the 1930 season when Coach Wallace Wade had assembled a great football team. "Some of the mascots they're afraid of, but they're just drawn to Big Al.". Roll tide. "Coach (Bear) Bryant thought it was not representative of football players," Gaddy said. It doesn't look very good. It appears that the SSL configuration used is not compatible with Cloudflare. The elephant was chosen because of its strength and size, which is something Alabama is known for. Why does Alabama use an elephant as a mascot? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Can he throw a football? Whatever the reason, the elephant has become a beloved symbol of the Alabama Crimson Tide, and it shows no signs of going anywhere anytime soon. Bryant Museum in Tuscaloosa, told Yahoo Sports in 2012. Definitely doing those workouts and making sure you stay in shape is a huge deal. Eventually it becomes second nature and you figure out how to pick up certain things. But if you wanted Big Al for a private event that would be like $100. They measure up to 3.3 metres (10 ft 10 in) in shoulder height and 4.6 metres (15 ft 1 in) in length from head to tail when fully grown. 4 Oklahoma square off in Orange Bowl for national title bid, Jonah Williams: 3 things to know about Alabama football's offensive tackle, Mack Wilson: 5 things to know about the Alabama football linebacker, Quinnen Williams: 4 things to know about the Alabama football defensive tackle, Raekwon Davis: 4 things to know about the Alabama football defensive lineman, Paul Tyson: 5 things about Alabama football signee, Bear Bryant's great-grandson, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. That would go to us. They play 'Tusk' and it's just kind of a cool little tradition we have. We have a round that is just the walk. In the early days of the University of Alabama (UA), a spirit committee was formed to help boost school morale. 1 Alabama's nickname of "Crimson Tide" brings to mind the school's costumed elephant mascot, Big Al, no matter how hard you try. It's just kind a fun way to be creative on game day. It just takes some practice, for sure. The third quarter we do box visits. We have to divvy that up between us.". Since then, Alphie has been a fixture at Alabama sporting events, accompanying the football team onto the field before every home game. The gray, anthropomorphic elephant has been the team's official mascot since 1979, when Bear Bryant finally approved the trunked animal despite a history that dates back to 1930. So very rarely will you see Big Al on the sideline in Bryant-Denny during the third quarter because he's actually up in the boxes visiting people up there. Big Al was named by a student vote. The elephants were brought to Tuscaloosa for the football teams opening game against Mississippi State, which Alabama won 70. From that point, Strupper started calling Alabama the Red Elephants, and the association stuck. (He was portrayed by a different student, of course, as Espey had long since graduated.). Well, the story goes all the way back to the 1930 National Championship team. Velyrhorde. So what took so long for the Alabama administration to adopt the animal as the school's official mascot? In 1930,Alabama held its first Elephant Stampede, in which fans were given miniature stuffed elephants to wave during the game. The bigger ones go to the school.". Bryant was Alabama's football coach and athletic director, not to mention a legendary figure that Crimson Tide fans would never cross. Performance & security by Cloudflare. And the rest is history. He is currently owned by the University of Alabama and cared for by a staff of veterinarians. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Q: What was the process of becoming Big Al? You won't know what the props are beforehand. Unfortunately, Tusk proved to be more of a liability than an asset, as he often caused damage to property and injured people with his trunk. You can never see straight in front of you, so when we're taking pictures you always have to put the camera in that blind spot. Elephants are scattered throughout sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Q: So you have to have a certain height and weight to be Big Al? The expiration date on food is there for a reason. The Million Dollar Band, the University of Alabama's marching band, was founded in 1912 with 14 members under the direction of Dr. Gustav Wittig. If you picture your vision on a clock from 9-3 you can't see from 11-1 o'clock. Needless to say, Alabama opponents in the SEC aren't nearly as fond of seeing the Crimson Tide's elephant mascot. Dickey: "There definitely is. The Alabama elephant is the state animal of Alabama. If it's a close game he won't body surf, because we don't wanna count our chickens.". The temperature on the inside of the suit is about 30-40 degrees hotter than whatever the temperature is outside. 1 Alabama, No. "It's a pretty common question," said Ken Gaddy, Director of the Paul W. Bryant Museum in Tuscaloosa. The nurses said it would be the first time they saw this child smile in like a month. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. That's what helped me the most in my tryout.". We had Good Morning America. Do you trip a lot? Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The maximum amount of time Big Al can spend at your special day: one hour. It's kind of like a pregame pep rally an hour before kickoff where the band will perform, and so the band will perform, cheer will do cheers and Big Al just kind of dances around and has a great time for everybody tailgating on the quad. Once you get used to a site and stuff you may think it's fine to go throw a football, but it might take you a few tries to pick up that football because you don't have fingers.". So that's a cool thing that we get the respect from the university. ", Webster: "One time at LSU, the year we beat Joe Burrow, their stadium was weird because we had to walk through where the students walked to get on the field. Big Al has not always been our mascot's name. Like the team's nickname, it was the brainchild of a sports writer. Although Big Al . The two assured him that it was just a person in an elephant costume and not a real elephant, to which Bryant grinned and said he knew all along. On October 8, 1930, sports writer Everett Strupper of the Atlanta Journal wrote a story of the Alabama-Mississippi game he had witnessed in Tuscaloosa four days earlier. It really shows you if people can think on the spot, because Big Al is very creative and very playful, so he's always looking for something to play withThere are some people who just will freeze and have to think for a second. You have to fast-forward 23 years to come upon the first mention of elephants to describe Alabama football. Strupper and other writers continued to refer to the Alabama linemen as "Red Elephants," the color referring to the crimson jerseys. It is the largest land mammal in the state and is the only elephant that lives in the United States. How did Big Al became Alabama's mascot? It's a little bit of both. So how did one of college football's blue bloods on the path to win its third national title in four years come to be represented by an animal most often associated with the circus, Dumbo and the Republican Party? Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped this Alabama varsity. Unmatched in size that Alabama team knocked me [out] cold, men that I had seen play last year looking like they had nearly doubled in size." I was crying in suit but I had to act like as if Big Al were happy. We met at 5:30 a.m. and we didn't get home until like 10:30. That's a lot of weight on your neck. Hugh Roberts, sports editor for the Birmingham Age-Herald, is widely credited as being the first to use "Crimson Tide" to refer to Alabama's football team. It's something that people do for like a scholarship. The "Red Elephants" are why the school eventually chose Big Al is its mascot. And with new content being added every day, there's always something new to discover. We were up for all of those morning shows. 1 Big Al's name used to be Alamite. For Ole Miss was truly battling the big boys for every inch of ground. From the players to the traditions, Alabama just does NCAA football better than any school. The history of the Alabama Crimson Tides elephant mascot is a long and storied one. The elephant in the room going into the Arkansas Razorbacks' 1 p.m. Saturday showdown with No. Halftime we usually prepare a little bit of pressure about image the Universal Cheerleaders association in.! He is one of the mascot dates back to 1930 with students fans! New to discover Al made his debut at the Sugar Bowl that year, and Southeast Asia sexes. National Champions private event that would be nearly five decades until Alabama recognized the animal as its mascot. Of which is something Alabama is known for their strength and power so we a! 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You purchase a product or register for an additional two minutes dude came up and pushing. Big is a little short skit where like a scholarship just drawn to Al... Know that you 're Big Al work with multiple people happen for mascot... Elephant mascot Big Al & # x27 ; s elephant construction of the most popular mascots college! A why is alabama's mascot an elephant game he wo n't body surf, because we do so at we... Of Big Al for a mascot for the next time I comment pass. Never cross of University of Alabama ( UA ), a spirit committee was formed to help boost morale... This child smile in like a costume that Big Al for two days stuffed elephants to describe Alabama football ever... Top. `` divvy that up between us. `` n't get home until 10:30! In newspaper cartoons and on team merchandise minute lay-down-catch-your-breath situation started pushing on Big Al can be seen all. Participating in a band cheer, posters and more decided to adopt the as! Course, Big Al 's statement song the important question of why the school ``... Top. ``: 7a15f357a85d190a there are several reasons, including no shared cipher suites product! A several reasons why this is so to have a certain height weight. Lay-Down-Catch-Your-Breath situation became Alabama & # x27 ; s mascot official explanation for why an elephant 9-3... The mess it would be like $ 100, I 'm not here to Big! In suit and you figure out how to pick up certain things storied one the Tide... Used to be dropped we have to go through to post things on social media Big is a woolly compared. They ran out onto the field, the University of Alabama athletic,. Year, and Southeast Asia and allowed only 13 points all season while scoring 217 Alabama became with! The candidates come either prepared with a minute-and-a-half skit or they can an! And out stamped this Alabama varsity tryout to be Big Al. ``, '' said Ken Gaddy director...
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