About

Ladd-Peebles has a rich history of sports and entertainment dating back to 1948. Such national celebrities as Elvis Presley, Jimmy Buffett, Mobile’s own Wet Willie, The Allman Brothers, Charlie Daniels, and Ed Sullivan have entertained guests at the outdoor stadium.

The inaugural event for Ladd was October 2, 1948, when the University of Alabama tied Vanderbilt University in the first football game at Ladd-Peebles. Paul “Bear” Bryant coached his first game as head football coach of the University of Alabama at the complex against LSU. The Auburn Tigers played eight games at Ladd-Peebles from 1948 to 1955 against such opponents as Clemson, Florida, and Ole Miss. The Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles have played 19 times at the stadium beginning in 1950 and more recently when they defeated Ohio University in 2007 in the GMAC Bowl.

Professional football has also been a part of the stadium’s history as eight AFL and NFL exhibition games were held

at Ladd-Peebles from 1955-1967 with such Hall of Fame greats as George Blanda, Dick “Night Train” Lane, Doak Walker and Don Maynard.

In 1974, Alabama State University hosted Florida A&M in the first ever Gulf Coast Classic at the stadium, an annual HBCU event held at the stadium for over 35 years.

The stadium has also been host to hundreds of high school football games over the years, and continues to serve as the home facility for four Mobile high schools—Murphy, Williamson, Davidson and LeFlore. Some “Friday Night Legends” who have displayed their talents during games at Ladd-Peebles include Ken Stabler, Paul Crane, Robert Brazile, Scott Hunter, Richard Todd, Willie Anderson, Julio Jones, and Nick Fairley.

The stadium has also been host to the University of South Alabama Jaguar football games as well as the Senior Bowl game for almost 70 years with such legendary stars as Terry Bradshaw, Joe Namath, Frank Gifford, Mean Joe Greene, Ozzie Newsome, Bo Jackson and Brett Favre.

Our History

Changes Underway at Ladd