The legend of "War Eagle" ...During the Battle of the Wilderness (Civil War, Virginia), a former Auburn student was left for dead on the battlefield. After regaining consciousness, he stumbled accross the battlefield & came upon an injured eagle who he decided to nurse back to
health & keep as a pet. He returned to Auburn with the bird and became a familiar sight all around campus & @ local events. During the Deep South's first football game (Auburn vs. Georgia, 1892), the eagle-called War Eagle bc of the circumstances under which he was found- broke free from it's cage and circled the field. After exciting fans & watching Auburn roll to a 10-0 win, the eagle fell to the ground and died...Since then there have been seven other birds who have become a part of Auburn tradition; War Eagle II, III, IV, V, and current birds War Eagle VI (aka Tiger), Nova, and Spirit. These birds are housed at the Southeastern Raptor Center in Auburn, and belong to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service....In 2002, Tiger captured the hearts of billions as she flew during the Olympic opening ceremonies in Salt Lake City. In January of 2006, Tiger was inducted into the Alabama Animal Hall of Fame. Not long after, she was diagnosed with skin cancer. This will limit her pregame flights which are the most spectacular feats in college sports. Nova and Spirit will continue to share flights with her..."War Eagle" is NOT a mascot. It is a battlecry and for those associated with Auburn University, "War Eagle" is more. It is an important part of our society that binds the Auburn family together. "War Eagle" is a hello, goodbye, a battlecry, and a way of life. The eagles are icons of it, living embodiments
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