Our View: Tailgating as 'Bama fans highlighted LSU's belligerence

By The Editorial Board

Published: Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Updated: Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Editor’s note: This staff editorial was written by Editorial Board member Gerri Sax. We support her views expressed in this column.

Last weekend was one of the most surreal experiences of my life, and I’m not talking about the football team’s heartbreaking loss to Alabama.

I’m talking about the hours I spent around campus tailgating — but not as a regular Tiger.

For this game, a fellow staffer and I, armed with a video camera and microphone, ditched our normal attire, threw on crimson-and-white sweatshirts and walked through campus to see what it would be like behind enemy lines.

Most people know how aggressive LSU’s fans are. But to see first hand just how hostile and offensive Tiger fans can be really opened up my eyes.

The final video of our experiences on lsureveille.com is an accurate depiction of what we encountered, but it was only the tip of the iceberg. Here are a few things we couldn’t fit in the video.

Vulgar language has never really bothered me, and the incessant “Tiger-baiting” and
“Around the bowl and down the hole, Roll Tide, Roll” mocking were the least of my worries.

Almost every tailgate spot we visited greeted us with the same expressions. The women called us “bitches,” and the men called us “cunts” followed by the traditional “Rip. Rip. Rip. Rap. Rap. Rap. You ‘Bama girls got the clap, clap, clap!” cheer.

And if that wasn’t enough, the amount of times we were spit on also struck a nerve.
Spitting on someone is one of the most degrading things a human being can do to another.
Verbal abuse is powerful, but when things get physical, that’s a little more effective.

The most significant physical encounters were from male Tiger fans. And they all involved some kind of inappropriate gestures. We were groped and squeezed by just about every guy we interviewed.

Not only did things get physical for us personally, our camera equipment also has some bruises as well. I can’t even count the number of times a Tiger fan ran up to the camera and shouted expletives or just yelled at the lens.

We witnessed what other teams’ fans encounter every home game and just how animated Tiger fans are before a big game.

But maybe we need to tone it down — just a bit.

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Contact the Editorial Board at editor@lsureveille.com

Your name

Thu Nov 13 2008 17:06

I LSU's defense, and as a Bamer, I must say that I did not encounter a single problem during my trip to Baton Rouge. I was definitely wearing Alabama gear, and the only troube I got was when I asked where RV Lot 2 was, and somebody gave me directions back to Birmingham. Other than that, I had a fantastic time, and the LSU fans sure know how to live it up after a loss. I've never seen so much ass in my life, especially at Walk Ons . . .

Your name

Thu Nov 13 2008 16:53

I enjoyed my time in Baton Rouge, but it was obvious that many of those people need to show MORE Class...

Thu Nov 13 2008 16:50

Funny, usually the ones with the most talk, can't walk the walk. Jealousy rears it's ugly head once again. LSU we just beat the HE!! outa U ROLL TIDE ROLL

Your name

Thu Nov 13 2008 16:38

Thanks for your honesty about your LSU fans. When the shoe is on the other foot, it is not that pretty, is it? LSU fans need to show more class. ALABAMA IS PURE CLASS AND WE HAVE A COACH THAT HAS PURE CLASS.

Your name

Thu Nov 13 2008 15:22

the reveille highlights the stupidity of lsu

Sam

Thu Nov 13 2008 14:12

She'm got a purtty face. I like to look at that.

Billy

Thu Nov 13 2008 14:10

I know LSU fans are classless. If you have ever been to a game, you'd know that. Heck I lived in Red Stick and couldn't stand the place. You show me a classy LSU fan and I'll show you someone who has just recently jumped on the bandwagon.

Your name

Thu Nov 13 2008 12:57

All the Bama fans that I took care of at my tailgate had a great time. No groping what so ever. And Tyler, I had an elderly woman throw a beer on me in Tuscaloosa. When you're that old, you can do whatever you want I guess.

Tyler

Thu Nov 13 2008 12:54

i had an extremely elderly woman spit at me and cuss me out....stay classy, red stick

bama or lsu fan?

Thu Nov 13 2008 12:49

I love that LSU fans would rather call a journalist a liar instead of owning up to the fact that there are some really offensive sexist things going on in Baton Rouge and the south in general. Maybe the Tide fans that haven't encountered this kind of foul behavior are, in fact, MEN. Of course nobody's going to spit on or grope a big guy that could physically hurt them.

Your name

Thu Nov 13 2008 12:15

The fact the story is being contradicted by many Bama fans ought to raise red flags. Is this actually being called "journalism"? Scary these staffers may actually one day work for some media organization other than a school newspaper. Sounds like they would fit in perfectly with the New York Times/MSNBC/Paul Finebaum School of Journalism.

Tide fan

Thu Nov 13 2008 12:00

I think LSU fans get a bad rap, and it's a shame your own paper is adding to the stereotype. I've been 4 or 5 times and always had a good time, never had any problems. Sure, you'll hear "Tigah Bait" and a few "F Bama's," you may get flipped the bird from time to time, but nobody is really looking to fight. In fact, if you have a thick skin and give it right back to them, they'll usually offer you drinks and food. It's my favorite place to visit in the SEC. Good game and good luck on the rest of the season. RTR!

Monk

Thu Nov 13 2008 11:46

I'm certain that these hopeful journalists endured about 15% of the trama they described and the rest is well, nice fiction. I credit them for doing exactly what they hoped for-generate a nice buzz. Welcome to new age journalism ladies. The National Enquirer will be calling soon.

Sara

Thu Nov 13 2008 11:44

it's about time someone exploited the classless fans in baton rouge.
A place where it is all about football but nothing else. Grow up baton rouge! And get some class!

Tide Roller

Thu Nov 13 2008 11:38

Your name,

the proper term is "classless redneck idiots" not country folk. Country people have pride, morals, and integrity.

Your name

Thu Nov 13 2008 11:12

Go read Matt Nelson's article about The unknown hospitality of Baton Rouge at Bama's student newspaper the Crimson White.

Even Bama students agree LSU had more class!

JBM

Thu Nov 13 2008 11:06

The fact that you LSU fans that do have class stand by and giggle & laugh at the ones who carry out this behavior only condones it. You of all people should not put up with this. My God, grown mene spitting on and gropiing 18 year old coeds!!!!!!! You are truly macho... There is a 19 yo member of the Bama band with a broken arm from being pushed around by your "fans".

I witnessed all of this behavior. And those who stand by and condone and excuse this behavior are just as guilty.
Your University is guilty of condoning this behavior by not doing more to insure that this behavior does not occur.

Truly a CLASSLESS act in Baton Rouge.

Your name

Thu Nov 13 2008 10:47

In reference to the very first comments.

I learned that cheer from my roommate's father who went to LSU 30 years ago so I would say it's been around long enough to be traditional. Don't get mad at everyone else because you don't know every cheer at LSU, big deal.

Peach

Thu Nov 13 2008 10:35

I have met some good and some bad but on a whole most are looking to see what they can get without remorse.

Tide Roller

Thu Nov 13 2008 09:58

Your name,

the proper term is "classless redneck idiots" not country folk. Country people have pride, morals, and integrity.

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