The 1912 Entre Nous, states the "Baptist Tigers" were able to hold the "Thin Red Line" to one touchdown in the first three quarters of the season's opening game against The University of Alabama.

It was not until December of 1916 that Samford, then Howard College, adopted the bulldog as its official mascot. In a two to one vote, the student body chose the “Crimson Bulldog” over the” Baptist Bears.”