Deep down in the land of Sweet Home Alabama, where the Crimson Tide rolls, and the Southern drawl is as thick as molasses, there lies a group of kids unlike any other. These are the Karate Kids of AL, also known as The Kickin' Cotton Statesmen! Now, don't be fooled by their charming Southern manners or their love for sweet tea and barbecue. Once they slip into their white uniforms and tie their colored belts, they transform into fierce karate masters, throwing punches and kicks faster than a lightning bug's flash. Their leader, a tall, all-knowing, and ridiculously handsome character named Sensei Bubba, is a legend among legends. With a thick mustache that could sweep the floor and a belly laugh that shakes the magnolias, he teaches them the way of discipline and respect alongside their karate moves. Sensei Bubba's signature move, the 'Bama Bop', is a spectacular sight to behold. It starts with a grand leap, a belly-bouncing twirl in the air, and ends with a thunderous landing that's said to shake the whole state. The kids adore him and aspire to perfect their own version of the 'Bama Bop. These karate kids, with their striking moves and Southern charm, have a zest for life as fiery as the Alabama sun. Whether they're practicing their high kicks at the break of dawn or enjoying some deep-fried delicacies at dusk, they do it all with a hearty "Roll Tide!" and a beaming smile. Each day, The Kickin' Cotton Statesmen take on the world, one karate chop at a time, proving that even in the heartland of football, good manners, and sweet tea, there's always room for a little bit of karate.
Read morePhoto byAshima PargalonUnsplash