A caged Bengal Tiger was wheeled into Death Valley before the highly anticipated LSU vs. Alabama game for the first time in more than ten years, granting the wish of newly elected Republican governor Jeff Landry. 

The tiger in the cage was not LSU’s Mike VII but Omar Bradley, an imported tiger from Florida named after Army General Omar Nelson Bradley in World War II. 

Many animal rights activists and people all over southern Louisiana were up in arms because the tiger’s owner had a history of improper care for his animals. In fact, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has a history of citing the owner for his lack of care for his animals. 

Nevertheless, Governor Landry persisted because he wanted to revive the tradition of having a live tiger as a mascot at LSU games.

Many students at Saint Paul’s have taken an interest in this, and some have strong feelings about the history of the man with the tiger. “Using animals and captivating them in such a confined space is simply animal cruelty. Having cheerleaders surrounding the cage adds another level of insensitivity to the situation,” said Saint Paul’s junior Lane Hamaker.

LSU had stopped with live mascots following the death of the school’s previous tiger, Mike VI, in 2016. Mike VI had a rare form of cancer called spindle cell sarcoma, but after a four-month cancer battle, he eventually passed away. Mike VI had attended more than three-quarters of the home games between 2007 and 2015.

 

Saint Paul’s students at the game were surprised to see the real tiger and liked the tradition coming back. “Even though it was my first LSU game, I was awe-struck by the commanding nature of the beast,” said Saint Paul’s senior Landon Krebs. 

Despite the theatrics and hype from LSU, animal rights activists protested outside the stadium. 

This controversial move by Governor Landry filled the minds of Louisiana residents after the state was ranked dead last as the worst state and the most dangerous by U.S News and World Report. In fact, 2024 marked the second year in a row that Louisiana was ranked #50 in crime and corrections.

Louisianians represent some of the most tight-knit cultures in the United States, and many students at Saint Paul’s are proud of their heritage. Saint Paul’s senior Carter Plaisance “loves going to LSU games and cheering on the Tigers” and “feels like football is a big part of living in Louisiana.” However, Plaisance does not care to cheer on an actual tiger.

Tiger Omar Bradley was rolled into Death Valley for the pregame celebration. They brought him in with a sheet over the cage, and after playing a short video, they unveiled the tiger. After a moment of cheering, Bradley was wheeled back in through the tunnel, and the game began.

Much to the pleasure of some animal rights activists, the previously ranked 14th LSU Tigers fell to the 11th-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide by a score of 42-13. 

Although the LSU Tigers are not looking well this season, fans still go and support the game versus Alabama is one of the most coveted games, even making it on College GameDay. Saint Paul’s students like to go to LSU games, and even a select few made it to College Gameday early on Saturday morning. “Despite the Tiger loss, being at the highly coveted LSU vs. Alabama game was definitely worth it,” said Saint Paul’s senior Sean Lenahan.

The governor even took swipes at the school afterward: “Our tiger, unfortunately, disappointingly, was the only tiger who showed up Saturday.” Landry also went on to blame “woke culture” for the uproar regarding his arrangement to bring the tiger to the stadium.

It will be interesting to see whether Governor Landry doubles down and arranges for a tiger to tour the stadium for a pivotal LSU game next season.