In Memory of Bubba Waddell, Panama City’s Biggest Bama Football Fan

BY LAURA STRAPPEL AND CHUCK WADDELL

Since 1986, Charles “Bubba” Waddell was known to local business owners as a hard-working salesman for Boyd Brothers Printing Company in Panama City. Bubba was also a huge Alabama football fan and admired the team since Paul “Bear” Bryant took over as the team’s head coach in 1958.

After decades of passionately watching Alabama football, he passed on his love of his team and the game to his son, Chuck, and his grandson, Christian. Bubba made sure that he brought up his family the right way, THE ALABAMA WAY. For example, when his grandson Christian, was old enough to watch television, Bubba gave him a dictionary about Alabama football and insisted that he read it before being allowed to watch Bama games with Bubba. Watching Alabama football was a second religion in the Waddell home. Bubba was just as devoted to his Baptist faith as he was to Alabama football. Bubba’s Alabama-filled office reflected his Bama obsession, and he was known by his signature two-words, “Roll Tide!”

Bubba lost his battle with cancer on October 17, 2014, but his Alabama legacy is carried on by his family and his beloved “Bama Nation.” Roll Tide.