Louisiana plans special tribute for former Mississippi State OL D.J. Looney, who died after heart attack

On Friday, the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns will be honoring former assistant coach D.J. Looney, who died on Aug. 1 at 31 after suffering a heart attack several days before the start of the team’s preseason camp. And they’re doing so in a special way.

For the Ragin’ Cajuns’ game at UAB on Friday night, every player will have Looney’s last name on the back of their jerseys. It’s a great tribute that will take place at Legion Field, where a “big contingent” of Looney’s family will be in attendance as Louisiana head coach Billy Napier shared during his Monday press conference.

Looney was preparing for his third season as an assistant offensive line coach on the Ragin’ Cajuns’ staff at the time of his death. Before that, he served as the tight ends coach for Mississippi State (his alma mater) in 2017. He played for the Bulldogs from 2007-10.

The Ragin’ Cajuns shared images of their special Looney jerseys on Twitter on Monday:

Together as one on Friday. pic.twitter.com/KiF47dGKzu

— Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns® Football (@RaginCajunsFB) October 19, 2020

Louisiana and UAB will kick off on Friday at 8 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.

Jake Rill

Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.