Shorty Price

William Ralph "Shorty" Price (born October 3, 1921 in Louisville, Barbour County; died November 1, 1980) was an attorney, unsuccessful political candidate, and clownish public figure, well-known for his appearances at Alabama Crimson Tide football games.

Price, who earned his nickname for his 5-foot stature, attended the University of Alabama and briefly roomed with future Governor George Wallace. He won a spot on the Crimson Tide cheerleading team. He continued to lead cheers from the stands over the next three decades, dressed in crimson and white, often drunk, and smoking Tampa Nuggets. In 1979 he was charged with public drunkenness and disorderly conduct after exposing his rear end to the Tennessee marching band. He was fined $125 by Judge William Cole, who told him "See you next year."

Price was elected as an alternate delegate to the 1952 Democratic National Convention. He ran for numerous other offices throughout his life, including the 1958, 1970, 1974 and 1978 gubernatorial elections and the 1976 presidential election. Though he campaigned across the state, with the slogan, "Shorty, Shorty, he’s our man. George Wallace belongs in the garbage can", he never earned more than 2 percent of the vote. In 1972 Price proposed to shorten the Governor's term from four to two years, reportedly so he could run more often.

Price died in an automobile collision on I-65 near Montgomery in 1980. He was on the way to Jackson, Mississippi for an Alabama game against Mississippi State. The Crimson Tide lost to the Bulldogs 6-3 that afternoon, ending a winning streak that dated back to September 1978.

References

• Schexnayder, C. J. (October 21, 2011) "William Ralph "Shorty" Price" Remember the Rose Bowl