Luke Ratliff
Cameron Luke Ratliff (born 1998 in Wadesboro, North Carolina; died April 2, 2021 in Tuscaloosa) was a senior public relations major at the University of Alabama, known for leading cheers during Crimson Tide basketball games. He was known by the nicknames "Fluff" or "Fluffopotamus".
Ratliff, who had neighbors in North Carolina who were Alabama fans, grew up cheering for the Crimson Tide. His interest expanded after the launch of the SEC Network, allowing him to watch more sports. He enrolled at Alabama in 2017 and once he was on campus, felt drawn to the intimate experience of cheering at basketball games in Coleman Coliseum. The recognition and relationships he built with fellow fans helped get him through a rough period of anxiety that led him to sleep in his car and miss classes. In 2018 he assumed the presidency of the "Crimson Chaos" student fan section. A year later, he and James Fletcher began hosting a "Bama Baseline" podcast.
During the 2020-2021 season Ratliff began wearing a plaid blazer given to him by assistants Bryan Hodgson and Antoine Pettway, likely as a nod to former Alabama basketball coach Wimp Sanderson. He was also recognized as an important contributor by head coach Nate Oats, and was given a piece of the net from the Southeastern Conference championship game. He attended the team's NCAA tournament games in Indianapolis on March 26–28.
Ratliff died from pneumonia related to COVID-19 in early April.
References
- Martin, Tyler (February 19, 2020) "For Superfan Luke Ratliff, Alabama Basketball Just Means More" Sports Illustrated/Bama Central
- Hudson, Brett (March 1, 2021) "Alabama basketball superfan Luke Ratliff, known as Fluffopotamus, making most of final season as student." The Tuscaloosa News
- Hurt, Cecil (April 2, 2021) "Alabama basketball super fan Luke Ratliff, known as 'Fluffopotamus,' passes away at 23." The Tuscaloosa News
- Goggins, Leah & Rebecca Griesbach (April 2, 2021) "UA senior and superfan Luke Ratliff dies after COVID-19 hospitalization" The Crimson White
External links
- Luke Ratliff on Twitter.com