BIRMINGHAM, Ala (WIAT) -- "Roll Tide Willie" has become a popular name among Alabama football fans.
Willie's rise to social media fame started September 4, 2021, with a video posted by him and his friend, Chad Horne. At the time it was posted, Willie had 12 followers. Now, he has amassed nearly 400,000 followers on Instagram and nearly 300,000 followers on TikTok.
“A couple days went by, and I checked back on it, and it was at 1.7 million views,” Horne said.
Willie has resided in Crenshaw County his whole life. Before becoming a social media influencer, Willie lived a much different life.
“I worked in chicken houses," Willie said. "I hauled hay. I set pine trees out."
Now with millions of followers, as well as chances to meet celebrities like comedian Kevin Hart and former Alabama head coach Nick Saban, Willie's newfound fame has proven to be a blessing.
“Willie now has six acres of land, his own house by himself, an air conditioner that he didn’t have. He’s got a nice place to sleep," Horne said. "He don’t have to worry about anything."
Out of everything he has done since his rise to internet fame, Willie said meeting Saban was the best experience of his life.
“He patted me on the back and said, 'Hey, I made his days and nights," Willie said. "I mean that made me feel good coming from the greatest coach of all time."