Outgoing LSU President William Tate has described the appearance of Omar the Bengal tiger on the field during last season as “strange,” calling it a surprising spectacle from an otherwise traditional football experience
🏟 Background on the Tiger Entrance
- The moment occurred during the 2024 season opener against Alabama, when Governor Jeff Landry personally arranged for a live tiger—Omar Bradley, not the official mascot Mike VII—to be brought onto Tiger Stadium for pregame festivities .
- Landry intended to revive an old LSU tradition that had ended after Mike VI’s adverse reaction in 2015 .
🤔 Tate’s Thoughts
President Tate publicly called the moment “a little strange,” acknowledging the spectacle while raising questions about its appropriateness within the athletic setting . He also emphasized that no official university-sanctioned live mascot presence exists beyond the on-campus habitat where Mike VII resides
⚠️ Mixed Reactions and Animal Welfare Concerns
- Critics included student groups and PETA, who labeled the stunt “cruel” and a distraction from animal welfare—pointing to PETA’s numerous existing USDA citations against the animal’s owner .
- Supporters, including Governor Landry and the tiger’s handlers, maintained the animal’s welfare was prioritized, with veterinarians conducting rehearsals to ensure Omar remained calm under stadium conditions .
📅 What’s Ahead
- LSU’s student senate is now debating formal policy restricting future live tiger appearances.
- With Tate’s departure, interim leadership will determine whether Omar’s entry was a one-off stunt—or a precursor to new traditions.
🏁 Bottom Line
What began as a dramatic attempt to rekindle nostalgia ended with LSU’s own outgoing president calling it “strange.” The spotlight is now on university leadership to decide whether future games will see live tigers, or if the spectacle will remain a one-time event in Tiger Stadium history.
