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LSU to feature live tiger on sideline for Alabama showdown
By Crissy Froyd
Published:
LSU is set to feature a live Tiger on the sideline for the team’s upcoming matchup against the Alabama Crimson Tide. The use of a live mascot has been controversial throughout college sports, but LSU has done it in the past.
It has been a long time since LSU chose to discontinue the tradition, deemed inhumane by many, including PETA. But the Tigers are bringing back the tradition for Saturday’s major showdown against Alabama.
In the past, LSU utilized the living mascot Mike the Tiger for the tradition. According to the Louisiana Illuminator, it will not be Mike VII on the sideline this Saturday but is instead a Bengal tiger named Omar Bradley.
Gov. Jeff Landry has previously expressed a desire to resume the tradition for LSU. Now, the tradition is at least returning for Week 11 with a stand-in for Mike.
Tigers head coach Brian Kelly was asked about the possibility of a live Tiger being present on the field as the team was going up against Alabama, and he failed to elaborate much on the subject. If anything, it appears that he completely sidestepped the question.
“I am a huge Tiger fan,” Kelly said at his Thursday press conference. “Go Tigers.”
“I’m a huge tiger fan.”@LSUfootball Brian Kelly asked about a live tiger appearing in Tiger Stadium this weekend for @AlabamaFTBL game.
“Geaux Tigers.” #LSU @WAFB pic.twitter.com/JT9VW7vFMt
— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) November 7, 2024
That was the extent of the comment.
RELATED: DraftKings currently has Alabama as a 2.5-point road favorite for this one. LSU fans interested in getting into the action can find out what betting apps are legal in Louisiana with SDS’s links.
It will be interesting to watch how things shake out as Alabama and LSU face each other at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday in Tiger Stadium. But there is no question that this is nothing short of an interesting development.
Crissy covers SEC football news for Saturday Down South.
