Louisiana governor Jeff Landry slams ‘woke’ backlash to controversial live tiger at LSU-Alabama game

After a live tiger appeared on the sidelines of the LSU football stadium for the first time in more than nine years on Saturday, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has condemned the “woke” response.

Landry championed the return of a live mascot to Tiger Stadium this season, with LSU gearing up for Saturday’s loss to Alabama.

Animal rights groups and some fans have panned the decision, while others, including Landry, have defended the practice in the name of tradition and because it is unique.

LSU’s live mascot tradition ended in 2015, with Mike the Tiger now located outside the stadium. The live tiger that entered the Baton Rouge location was rented from Florida.

“More people came up to me, and they remembered Mike the Tiger more than some of the great plays at Tiger Stadium,” Landry said Monday, per The lawyer.

Jeff Landry responded to the “woke” backlash this week after supporting the return of the live tiger

“And they grew up as kids and saw this. It’s about tradition. Ultimately, these woke people tried to take the tradition out of this country. It is the tradition that built this country.”

The return of the live tiger did not inspire LSU to victory, as it was blown out by Alabama 42-13 and essentially ended any hopes of a College Football Playoff appearance and a national championship.

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

LSU has not said whether a live tiger will return to the stadium for one of the team’s remaining home games against Vanderbilt or Oklahoma, which take place on the last two Saturdays of the month.

The controversy is sure to continue as another four-legged caged predator rolls into Tiger Stadium.

‘I’m going to tell you something. This is about tradition. And tradition is about respecting those who came before you,” Landry continued.