“Some traditions bring pride. Others… awaken something older.”
Netflix has officially announced a new original docuseries that explores one of college football’s most iconic — and eerily mysterious — traditions. Set in the heart of Auburn, Alabama, Toomer’s Curse: The Untold Story of Tradition, Fire, and the Roots That Never Die will premiere globally on September 4, 2025.
The five-part series will explore the long-standing history of Toomer’s Corner, a landmark where Auburn fans have gathered for generations to celebrate their football victories by rolling the oak trees in toilet paper. While many view it as a cheerful, unifying tradition, this documentary unveils another side — one filled with shadowy legends, strange occurrences, and a history that may stretch far deeper than the roots of the trees themselves.
A Legacy Rooted in Mystery
According to the documentary’s producers, the story begins in the late 1800s, when the area that is now Toomer’s Corner served a different purpose altogether. Archival documents uncovered by the production team suggest that the land may have once been used as a burial ground, long before it became a beloved campus landmark. Historians in the series raise the question: Were the trees planted to mark something… or to conceal it?
Each episode follows a specific timeline in Auburn history, starting with the origins of the trees themselves, then diving into strange stories that have passed through generations. From unexplained fires to game-day coincidences, the documentary blends folklore, historical accounts, and interviews with former players, local historians, and longtime Auburn residents.
The Fire That Sparked Questions
A central point in the series is the 1985 fire that damaged part of downtown Auburn just hours after a major football win. According to witnesses, the flames erupted near the base of one of the trees at Toomer’s Corner, despite no clear source of ignition. The fire department’s report listed the cause as “inconclusive,” but local residents remember seeing a strange glow around the roots just minutes before the blaze began.
“There’s always been something different about those trees,” says one former Auburn linebacker interviewed in the series. “I remember celebrating under them after the ’89 Iron Bowl — and I swear I felt the ground shake.”
Unseen Forces or Coincidence?
The series doesn’t offer simple answers. It instead presents a layered investigation: from Native American folklore and Southern superstitions to testimonies from students and alumni who have experienced unusual dreams, sudden illness, or personal misfortune after visiting the site during major celebrations.
The final episode shifts focus to the controversial poisoning of the trees in 2011, a widely publicized act of vandalism. But the documentary asks: Was this only the latest chapter in a story far older than any rivalry? Or was it a moment that finally awakened something long buried?
A Cinematic Southern Thriller
With haunting reenactments, a brooding original score, and atmospheric cinematography, Toomer’s Curse promises to be both an emotional journey for Auburn fans and a captivating tale for anyone intrigued by the mysterious side of tradition. The series will be available to stream worldwide on September 4, 2025, exclusively on Netflix.
