Leading up to the University of Alabama’s homecoming Saturday, a Tuscaloosa business seeks to capitalize on one the Crimson Tide’s most-talked about football players.

The Tuscaloosa Flower Shoppe is offering Hawaiian leis to honor UA quarterback Tua Tagovailoa during the football team’s Saturday night homecoming game against Missouri. The leis, which are a combination of purple and white Dendrobium orchids stringed together, were custom-ordered from Tagovailoa’s home state of Hawaii and were delivered to the store Wednesday.

Sarah Morrison, owner of the shop, said the idea to sell the leis came from customers who wanted to wear the traditional Hawaiian necklace to UA football games.

"It’s always fun when people in Tuscaloosa do something that is different," Morrison said. "We’re so built on tradition."

Since the start of the season, many fans have supported Tagovailoa by wearing plastic leis to UA games. Since the start of the season, Tagovailoa has thrown for nearly 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns. As his name has been thrown around for possible Heisman Trophy consideration, the fans' infatuation with him has only grown stronger.

"I feel like there is enough interest in Tuscaloosa in doing this because it is so cool and everyone is so excited about Tua," she said. "I feel like we will all do wonderful with them."

Each lei is $25 and can be purchased directly at the store. Morrison said customers should not try and preserve the leis themselves, saying that the average refrigerator is set colder than the ones the Tuscaloosa Flower Shoppe has. In addition, the contents of some home refrigerators could cause problems with the leis.

"There is also the issue of gases, so if your fridge has had any kind of fruit in it, the gases the fruit put off can harm the flowers," she said. "By the time you purchase them, they should live five to seven days."

Morrison said there is a possibility the shop could continue offering leis as the football season continues.

"We’ll see what our response is from others," she said. "If we see that there is interest in them for other games, we may do that."

The Tuscaloosa Flower Shoppe, which has been operated in Tuscaloosa since 1921, is at 2208 University Blvd. near Black Warrior Brewing Co. and is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call Morrison at 205-758-3065.

Kickoff for the game will be at 6 p.m. Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Reach Drew Taylor at drew.taylor@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0204.