Historic Mascot Display Draws Protests as Tigers Fall 42-13 in SEC Showdown
In a night marked by both spectacle and controversy, No. 15 LSU’s decision to revive its live tiger tradition backfired both on and off the field, as the Tigers suffered a crushing 42-13 defeat to No. 11 Alabama amid widespread protests over the return of a caged tiger to Tiger Stadium.
The controversial return
For the first time since 2015, a live tiger—named Omar Bradley—was displayed in a caged enclosure before kickoff in Baton Rouge. The presentation, featuring dramatic lighting and a theatrical unveiling, drew immediate criticism from animal rights activists and LSU community members alike.
Political push meets public pushback
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, who championed the tiger’s return, defended the decision on FOX News: “This is about from Mike One through Six, we have had a live mascot on the field like many other colleges have before.” However, his stance was met with significant opposition, evidenced by multiple petitions gathering over 27,000 signatures by Sunday morning.
Animal rights concerns
PETA Foundation Associate Director Klayton Rutherford strongly condemned the display: “LSU rightly ended this idiotic, archaic practice nearly a decade ago after recognizing that it was cruel to subject a sensitive big cat to the noise, lights, and crowds in a football stadium.”
Protesters gathered outside the stadium with signs reading “Justice for Omar” and “Did Tiger King teach us nothin’,” highlighting the growing public concern over using live animals for entertainment.
Medical perspective
Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham, speaking as both a veterinarian and medical doctor, defended the decision: “We had numerous discussions and took every step to ensure this was safe for the tiger. I spent several hours with the tiger last night, and you could tell he was comfortable around people and enjoyed the attention.”
On-field disappointment
The controversy overshadowed what became a dominant performance by Alabama, led by quarterback Jalen Milroe’s remarkable showing:
- 185 rushing yards
- Four touchdowns, including a 72-yard game-sealing run
- Strong defensive performance forcing two interceptions from LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier
The loss drops LSU to 6-3 while Alabama improves to 7-2. The Tigers will travel to face Florida next week, while Alabama hosts Mercer.