Kool-Aid McKinstry shares what it means to be on ‘right side’ of Iron Bowl

The reputation of the Iron Bowl proceeds itself when Alabama and Auburn square off annually. Regarded as one of the best rivalries not just in college football, but across all sports.

But the rivalry within the state hits differently, which Crimson Tide defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry knows as an Alabama native from Birmingham. This Saturday will mark his third Iron Bowl game as a player, but he’s more than familiar with rivalry given his upbringing, which he spoke about with the media on Tuesday.

“It means a lot for me being a kid from the state because here at Alabama you’re either gonna be an Alabama fan or an Auburn fan, and I grew up an Alabama fan so just me being on the right side of the Iron Bowl I just feel good about that,” McKinstry said.

McKinstry calling the Crimson Tide the right side of the rivalry will surely make Tigers fan shake their heads in disagreement, but historically he is right. Alabama currently leads the series 49–37–1, with the Crimson Tide boasting wins in their last three meetings.

McKinstry has nothing but positive memories as a player when facing Auburn, but before his playing days with the Crimson Tide, his most memorable moment from the Iron Bowl may surprise fans.

“I maybe shouldn’t say this, but the game I remember the most of course is kick-six and I remember it the most because Chris Davis was actually my high school coach,” McKinstry said. “So me just knowing that’s actually him and him being my high school coach was very exciting to me to know how he did that.”

Davis’ field goal attempt returned for a 109-yard game-winning touchdown as time expired to hand Auburn a win in the 2013 Iron Bowl provided one of the most memorable moments in the history of the rivalry and all of college football. But when his playing days at Auburn and the NFL were over, he took his talents to the sidelines joining forces with former Alabama player and head coach Sam Shade at Pinson Valley High School in 2020.

McKinstry graduated from Pinson Valley in 2021, playing under Davis who was the team’s cornerbacks coach. But McKinstry has turned into a decorated returner in his own way as well with 418 career punt return yards for the Crimson Tide, being named second-team All-SEC as a return specialist last year ranking second in Division I in punt return yardage.

Maybe he’ll have a memorable return of his own this Saturday, as the Iron Bowl kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET and airs on CBS.