Three things to know about 2026 Red Tails Classic at Cramton Bowl
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Tuskegee will take on Scott Cochran and West Alabama in the sixth annual Red Tails Classic at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN 2.
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The Red Tails Classic is more than a football game. Here are three things to know before Tuskegee takes on West Alabama at Cramton Bowl.
Who were the Tuskegee Airmen?
Trained at the Tuskegee Army Air Field at Tuskegee University beginning in 1941, it was part of an effort to prove that Black men could serve successfully as military aviators.
The group included not just fighter pilots, but also navigators, bombardiers, instructors, maintenance crews and support staff. In total, about 16,000 men and women were part of the Tuskegee Airmen program.
The pilots (most famously the 332nd Fighter Group and 477th Bombardment Group), flew missions in North Africa, Italy and Europe. They became well known for their skill and bravery, escorting bombers and protecting them from enemy fighters. Their aircraft were often marked with distinctive red tails, earning them the nickname “Red Tails.”
The Tuskegee Airmen challenged racist stereotypes and helped pave the way for the desegregation of the U.S. military in 1948, when President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981.
What is the history of the Red Tails Classic?
The Red Tails Classic was created by ESPN Events in 2021 as a college football kickoff event featuring Tuskegee University and another HBCU. ESPN announced the event in February 2021, with the inaugural game scheduled for Montgomery's historic Cramton Bowl.
The idea was to create more than just another HBCU football game. ESPN specifically wanted to use Tuskegee University's connection to the Tuskegee Airmen to highlight their legacy while giving HBCU football a nationally televised showcase.
The first Red Tails Classic featured Tuskegee vs. Fort Valley State on Sept. 5, 2021.
It was a particularly significant return to football for Tuskegee. The Golden Tigers had not played a game in roughly two years because of the cancellation of the 2020 season.
How has Tuskegee faired in Red Tails Classics?
Tuskegee currently holds a 2-3 record in the Red Tails Classic. Here's a breakdown of Tuskegee's history in the Classic:
- 2021: Fort Valley State 30, Tuskegee 0
- 2022: Fort Valley State 21, Tuskegee 6
- 2023: Tuskegee 37, Fort Valley State 31
- 2024: John C. Smith 21, Tuskegee 13
- 2025: Tuskegee 20, Winston-Salem State 17
Jaeden Day covers high school sports, Alabama State football and Auburn recruiting for the Montgomery Advertiser/USA Today. You can find him on X at dayjaeden12, or reach him at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Three things to know about 2026 Red Tails Classic at Cramton Bowl