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The Tuscaloosa News
Alabama basketball honors superfan Luke Ratliff aka Fluffopotamus before season opener
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- Alabama basketball honors superfan Luke Ratliff aka Fluffopotamus before season opener
Alabama basketball hasn't forgotten Luke Ratliff.
The Crimson Tide superfan better known as Fluffopotamus was honored in Coleman Coliseum ahead of the season opener against UNC-Asheville on Monday.
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New Crimson Chaos president Andy Hayes was formally initiated into his term with the pregame jacket ceremony: a fitting ode to "Fluff," who made the plaid sport coat one of the most iconic symbols of the student section for Alabama basketball.
In an interview with The Tuscaloosa News last Friday, Hayes called Ratliff the "heart and soul" of the student-led group.
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Hayes slipped into the plaid blazer with help from last year's Crimson Chaos president, Jacob Pickle. He said his "biggest" goal was to continue building a student section that Ratliff "would be proud of."
Now, Hayes officially looks the part.
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Luke Ratliff was often the most visible fan at Crimson Tide basketball games. “When I came to campus, my fandom exploded,” he said.
Ratliff died at age 23 due to complications of COVID-19 in April 2021. However, he spent his final months doing exactly what he wanted: watching Alabama hoops win.
Fans were limited on the Crimson Tide's pandemic-modified run to the NCAA Tournament. That never stopped Ratliff from finding his way into the stands.
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As airlines shut down, he saddled up for lengthy road trips to destinations like Texas A&M and Missouri.
A native of Wadesboro, North Carolina, Ratliff didn't grow up in the Yellowhammer State, but he chose to attend UA. He became one of the most recognizable faces of Crimson Tide fandom.
His Twitter account @fluffopotamus88 helped grow his fame. So did shout-outs from coach Nate Oats.
In Ratliff's last season cheering on the team, Alabama went 26-7 and won the SEC regular-season championship. UCLA bounced the Crimson Tide from the NCAA Tournament in region semifinals.
Ratliff traveled to Indianapolis for the tournament and returned to Tuscaloosa that Monday, March 29, before being hospitalized at DCH Regional Medical Center. He died four days later.
The Crimson Chaos still saves a front row spot for Ratliff.
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For its lucky charm, there was no better fit than seat No. 7.
"He means the world to all of us," Hayes said.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama basketball honors super fan Luke Ratliff, known as Fluffopotamus'
