Alabama State quarterback Andrew Body was dressed and on the sideline for the Magic City Classic against Alabama A&M on Saturday, but his playing status remained unclear heading into the annual rivalry game.
The Magic City Classic, one of the most storied rivalries in HBCU football, took place on October 31, 2026, at Legion Field in Birmingham. Body's availability had been a key storyline leading up to the matchup between the two Alabama-based historically Black universities.
Body, who has been a central figure in Alabama State's offense, appeared in uniform during pregame warmups. The Montgomery Advertiser reported that the coaching staff had not publicly confirmed whether the quarterback would see action or remain available only in an emergency capacity.
The rivalry game draws tens of thousands of fans annually and serves as a centerpiece of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) schedule. Alabama State entered the contest seeking to gain an edge in the series that dates back to 1924.
