Do you remember your first game in Tiger Stadium?

I apologize for the long message in advance. Feel free to skip it if you don’t like feels.

I've been a lurker for quite some time, and I rarely ever feel compelled to post, but due to some recent events, I feel it's time (for me) to share why I’m a tiger fan with my fellow tiger faithful.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I must admit up front that I had no choice in becoming an LSU fan.

I was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana while my dad was a graduate assistant at LSU (in '86). By all accounts I wasn't an overly bright child, but I do remember realizing when my father was upset.

Some of my very first memories are of my mother carefully pulling LSU shirts and memorabilia out of our kitchen trashcan. She would always wash the shirts and clean the programs the best she could, because she knew it was only a matter of time before my dad would come back offering to give those tigers just one more chance.

Needless to say, my dad was obsessed with LSU football. One of my most cherished memories growing up was the first time I asked my dad if we could go to an LSU game. The '99 season was quickly approaching, and we were living in Memphis at the time. I had way of knowing how really poor we were with my dad being a minister at a small church. But without a moment's hesitation, he shouted, "Yes, we have to!” and to this day I truly believe he never even considered the alternative, despite everything my mother said. I assume she eventually gave her approval, although she reminded me several times that this was a special trip and I would not be getting any souvenirs.

September 4, 1999. A day I’ll never forget.

As we were walking down the hill towards Tiger Stadium, my dad pulled me over to the side from the crowd. He reached inside a white plastic bag and pulled out a brand new LSU football. I couldn’t believe it. Looking back, that football was about as good as any recent Christmas. But the best part was when my dad slowly leaned in and whispered, where only I could hear, “This isn’t just any ordinary football.” I didn’t know what he meant by that, but he had my undivided attention. He said, “This ball could determine whether or not we win the game.” “But how?”, I replied. “Well, get to throw it. And if we catch of the first seven passes we throw to each other, every single one, then LSU will have good luck in the game.” We probably ended up throwing over a hundred passes before we had to go in to the game, and it was so incredibly fun.

As the band made it’s way out onto the field, I stood on the front row of section 105, trying desperately to see over the crowd and take it all in. The crowd, the band, the colors, the smell... It was much more than a thrill or mere excitement; it was something so completely… unique! It was peaceful and nerve racking at the same time. It was joyous and sickening all within seconds... It was pure entertainment, but it was also satisfying… but not just because of the victory.

Yes, LSU did beat San Jose State that night 29-21, behind Rondell Mealey's 158 rushing yds and 2 touchdowns (despite his two fumbles), but honestly, that's not really what I remember about the experience. I remember mimicking the bow to the Chinese Bandits. I remember spelling out T-I-G-E-R-S as loud as I could with every first down. I remember the first time I joined in yelling for the defense on third down. And I remember hugging my dad after the play as if we were the ones who stopped them.

Now, I’m sure this sounds pretty silly to some of you. “It’s only a game”, some say, and they’re mostly right. But for me, I still remember that seventh pass I threw my dad on September 4, 1999. That pass is just as clear as the seventh pass he threw to me outside the chapel on his wedding day, just as clear as the seventh pass I threw him before I got into my car to leave for college, and just as clear as the seventh pass he threw me outside of AT&T Stadium two weeks ago.

We have a very special team this year. Enjoy every minute of it! Because the same as in life, you aren’t promised tomorrow.

TL; DR: GEAUX TIGERS!