Louisiana Governor, Jeff Landry, brought an ersatz live tiger named Omar Bradley to LSU’s game against Alabama. The decision was met with criticism, and at a later event, Landry took a shot at LSU, stating, “Our tiger, our live tiger, unfortunately, disappointingly, was the only tiger who showed up Saturday. I’m sorry.” Landry had tried to convince LSU to use the real Mike the Tiger for a pregame package honoring the late mascot, but the university declined. LSU used to bring Mike the Tiger to most home games but stopped after Mike VI’s death in 2016.
The replacement tiger, Omar Bradley, was found at a Florida talent agency, and it’s unclear who covered the costs for transport and handling. Landry defended his decision by stating that it was about tradition and respecting those who came before. However, this “new tradition” did not bring luck to LSU, as they suffered a 42-13 loss to Alabama, dropping to a 6-3 record with a 3-2 record in SEC play.
LSU has now lost their last two games against Alabama by a combined score of 80-36. The controversy surrounding the live tiger appearance has sparked debate and criticism, with many questioning the necessity and appropriateness of such a spectacle. Despite the governor’s intentions to honor tradition, the outcome did not bring the desired outcome for LSU, leaving fans and critics alike to ponder the impact of such antics on the team’s performance and reputation.
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