Soccer fans discover Auburn’s War Eagle flight tradition

“This the most ‘The European mind can’t comprehend this’ moment of my life,” he wrote on X. “One of my friends said, ‘Punch me five times tomorrow and I’ll still think this isn’t real.’”

While most of the 88,000 filling the stadium on June 9 were drawn by the phenomenon of “Messi Mania,” Aurea and the Auburn University Raptor Center (AURC) ensured the uninitiated were properly introduced to the uniquely Auburn tradition of “War Eagle Flights.” After being released from the northeast corner of the stadium, Aurea circled the field for 36 seconds.

Having experienced amped-up crowds for Auburn’s SEC home games, AURC Raptor Specialist Katie Pnewski felt a difference at field level as she swung the lure and awaited Aurea’s landing.

“The energy was still intense, but it had a more global feel, different languages, different traditions, and a very diverse crowd,” she said. “From the field level, you could feel that this wasn’t just an Auburn moment; it was a worldwide event. That added a new layer of excitement and perspective to the flight.”

A new stage for time-honored tradition

The AURC began preparing for its first non-football pre-game flight in Jordan-Hare after AU Athletics reached out in March and shared that event organizers were interested in showcasing the university’s unique traditions. It also afforded an opportunity for the AURC to introduce its mission of conservation, education and rehabilitation to an unfamiliar audience.

“From the beginning, we recognized that this was more than just another event in Jordan-Hare Stadium,” said Dr. Robyn Miller, AURC director. “It was a chance to introduce tens of thousands of visitors, many of whom had never been to Auburn before, to a tradition that has become a defining part of our university. We were honored to be a part of helping showcase Auburn on such a unique stage.”

Aurea and Independence engaged in practice flights inside Jordan-Hare Stadium in the weeks leading up to the soccer friendly. Often, deciding which raptor takes to the sky is a game day decision.

On match day, the AURC’s usual flight routine was disrupted by a severe thunderstorm system that brought heavy rain, flash floods and dramatic lightning. The weather delayed the start of the match by half an hour.

“Between the weather and the unique traffic and security arrangements associated with the event, simply getting to the stadium required a bit more creativity and flexibility than usual,” Miller said. “Our team typically arrives several hours before a flight so we can assess conditions firsthand, paying close attention to factors like wind, weather and the overall environment. Those observations are an important part of ensuring we’re making sound decisions for the eagle’s safety.”

Added Pnewski: “Ultimately, we felt confident in both her readiness and our ability to adapt to any challenges presented.”

Before Aurea’s rescheduled flight time drew near, the rain subsided, a rainbow appeared to the east and a vibrant orange and blue sunset formed to the west.

War Eagle goes worldwide

Beyond ticket buyers making up the largest crowd to ever attend a soccer match in Alabama, Aurea’s graceful flight was broadcast to TV viewers in more than 100 countries. TyC Sports and Telefe, which televised the match in South America, also introduced the War Eagle Flight tradition to Argentine audiences through social media clips. One video even showed Argentine star Lionel Messi watching Aurea’s flight and nodding in approval.

“It’s only afterward that we’re able to fully appreciate the scale of the audience and the impact,” Pnewski said. “It was such a beautiful flight, with an incredible sunset and crowd as the backdrop, I couldn’t have asked for a better flight from Aurea. Seeing people from different countries engage with the War Eagle tradition is incredibly rewarding and reinforces how powerful and far-reaching this experience can be.”

The reach began to reveal itself just before the Argentina match, as social media users below the equator discovered College of Veterinary Medicine social media videos featuring Independence’s pre-match prediction and Indy and Aurea “practicing” soccer before flight training. Interest surged just after the match, with the two videos combining for more than two million views – most coming from social media users in Argentina. Even Auburn rivals were swept up in the vibes, with the daughter of retired Alabama football coach Nick Saban entering the Instagram chat to marvel at the raptor ambassadors’ beauty.

An aria made for Aurea

While no Auburn person could have seen that coming, the Argentine enthusiasm should not have come as a shock in hindsight. To South American ears, Aurea sounds very similar to “Aurora,” a three-act opera by native composer Hector Panizza which includes a main tenor aria used as a hymn for the nation’s flag. Translated from Spanish, the aria’s opening would offer a beautiful accompaniment to “War Eagle”:

“High in the sky, a warrior eagle

Boldly rises in triumphant flight …”

“The War Eagle flight is woven into Auburn’s identity, but this event allowed us to share it with people from 47 states and 12 countries,” Miller said. “Many of them had never visited Auburn before and may have been experiencing the tradition for the very first time. For a few brief moments, language, nationality and team allegiance faded into the background. Our eagle took flight, and everyone looked to the skies.

“To me, that’s the power of this cherished tradition. It reminds us that wonder is universal. No matter where we come from, there is something profoundly moving about watching our eagles effortlessly soar over the heads of 88,000 spectators. In those moments, we’re reminded not only of the beauty of the natural world, but of our shared responsibility to ensure future generations can experience that same sense of awe.”

Aurea’s pre-soccer match flight drew positive — and sometimes unexpected — social media reactions from Argentine, European and American sports fans.

Community