**Louisiana Governor Criticizes LSU Football, Defends Tradition of Live Tiger Mascot**

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has stirred controversy and criticism following LSU's hefty loss to Alabama, with a bold critique of both the football team's performance and the detractors of his initiative to bring a live tiger back to the stadium. Speaking at the event "Politics with a Punch" in Metairie, Landry pointedly remarked, "Our live tiger was the only tiger who showed up Saturday. I'm sorry," referring to LSU’s 42-13 defeat.

In a move influenced by Landry, a tiger named Omar Bradley was brought from Florida to appear on the sidelines before the game. The initiative aimed at reviving an old tradition saw Omar Bradley showcased for seven minutes amidst a crowd that has grown significantly since the tradition’s early days.

Landry's decision bypassed using LSU's current mascot, Mike the Tiger, due to the animal's history of not being paraded in the stadium, culminating in the adoption of Omar Bradley from Florida’s Worldwide Exotic Animal Talent Agency—a source with a concerning record of animal care, as cited by the USDA. Despite criticisms, Landry defended the move, emphasizing the importance of tradition and the need to honor LSU's historical practices.

Fiscal responsibility over the event also raised eyebrows, with both LSU and Landry's office declining to specify who funded the transportation and display of the tiger. However, Landry’s office assured that no state or LSU finances were utilized for the event.

Not all LSU alumni support the revival of this tradition, citing changes in stadium atmosphere and crowd size since the 1960s. Claudia Adley, an alum from that era, voiced her concerns noting the current stadium’s overwhelming environment which now includes ear-piercing loudspeakers and light shows.

The presence of the tiger at the stadium came under scrutiny from animal rights advocates, notably People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, who filed a complaint prior to the game. Refuting these concerns, Landry argued compliance with federal guidelines, albeit criticizing the 2022 Big Cat Public Safety Act, which imposes strict regulations on the possession and breeding of big cats.

With mixed public sentiment and legal frameworks shaping the discourse, the future of this revived tradition remains uncertain. Governor Landry humorously noted any linkage between the tiger's brief presence and LSU’s loss, quipping that perhaps a longer stay by the tiger might yield better fortunes for the team.