Louisiana governor criticizes ‘incitement’ against LSU for being a tiger at a football game

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry had a hand in convincing LSU to field a live Tiger in its game against Alabama this past weekend, and he doubled down on his action after the team’s 42-13 loss. It was intended to revive the show’s tradition of having a live tiger, named “Mike the Tiger,” appear in the games.

The decision to keep the tiger alive has brought controversy and criticism, but Landry dismissed that criticism when he spoke Monday night in Metairie at an event known as “Politics with a Punch.”

“I have a lot of people come up to me, and they remember Mike the Tiger more than the big games at Tiger Stadium,” Landry said, via CBS Sports. “And they grew up as children seeing this, it’s about culture. In the end, these people who woke up tried to take the culture out of this country. It’s the culture that builds this.”

CLICK HERE TO WATCH ONE OF THE GAMES ON FOXNEWS.COM

Landry went on to say that being a tiger in recent games is about respecting the tradition. The university previously had a live tiger at games but discontinued the tradition in 2015 amid controversy over the management of the endangered species. The most recent animal to appear in the games was the famous mascot “Mike the Tiger” who died in 2016. He was the sixth in his line, known as Mike VI.

“I have something to tell you. This is about tradition. And the story of tradition is about honoring those who came before you.”

The university maintains its current tiger mascot named Mike VII in a 15,000-square-foot enclosure on campus. A different tiger, named Omar Bradley, was sent to Florida’s Worldwide Exotic Animal Talent Agency to appear in Saturday’s game.

Landry’s office also said Monday that no state or LSU funds were used “for any aspect of the tiger.”

FIRST RANKINGS FOR 12 COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAMS ANNOUNCED; OREGON HOLDS THE TOP PLACE

LSU head coach Brian Kelly watches from the sidelines during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

The governor also used his speaking engagement on Monday to shame the LSU players for their performance against Alabama.

“Our tiger, our live tiger, unfortunately, disappointingly, was the only tiger that came on Saturday. I’m sorry,” Landry said.

Landry said earlier this year that he would like to see a live tiger return to the sidelines in Death Valley, and this move may be due to that desire. The governor previously preached on the importance of respecting culture during an interview with Fox News last Friday.

“This is about culture,” Landry said. “This is about Mike I through VI. We’ve had a live mascot on the field, like many other colleges before.”

Tiger owner Mitchel Kalmanson told WBRZ they practiced bringing Omar to Tiger Stadium and staged lights and loud music Thursday and Friday nights. He did not tell the news station who paid for the event and did not confirm whether he would bring the Tigers to future LSU games.

CLICK HERE FOR THE NEWS PROGRAM

A tiger sleeps on the ground in the zoo. (Stock)

“The animal is not euthanized,” he said. “This animal was living in it. This animal had not covered its ears.”

Louisiana Game and Fisheries Secretary Madison Sheahans addressed the issue Monday, according to the Advocate.

“Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) regulations prohibiting the importation and possession of exotic big cats, including tigers, provide exemptions for certain companies,” Sheahan said in a statement. “Exempt businesses include universities, such as LSU, which have traditionally and historically had a large cat as their mascot, and traveling exhibitors organized under a USDA Class C Exhibitor license valid only in the state for a temporary period.”

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle.