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Spinoff Thread: Tommy Casanova Article
Posted on 9/12/25 at 10:10 am
Posted on 9/12/25 at 10:10 am
I posted this article in the “best safety” thread. For those of you that didn’t see Casanova play in college or the NFL and you hear old timers talk about how incredibly great he was, here’s an article written 50 years after he retired about his pro career. He was the most versatile and best athlete I’ve seen at LsU considering what he could do at RB, DB and returns. The only comparison there is in the last 30 years is a combination of Peterson and Mathieu. Casanova had Mathieu’s knack for playmaking and Peterson size. He had track speed and quickness. The crazy part is he was doing what he did while in the Pros in terms of education and football.
People my age remember his dropped pick in the end zone in South Bend more than any of his great plays which is too bad.
LINK
People my age remember his dropped pick in the end zone in South Bend more than any of his great plays which is too bad.
LINK
14
Posted on 9/12/25 at 10:14 am to Tiger1988
Mention Casanova in that thread as well.
Has a long list of accolades.
My dad/uncles has mentioned him often
Has a long list of accolades.
My dad/uncles has mentioned him often
Posted on 9/12/25 at 10:20 am to Tiger1988
His cousin was a good friend of mine. Tommy used to play football with us in the street and front yard when I was about 12 years old.
Posted on 9/12/25 at 10:21 am to Tiger1988
My dad played on the defensive side of the ball with him at LSU. He said he was a tremendous athlete and great player. The front 7 were loaded with guys like Ron Estay. Linebackers like George Bevan and Mike Anderson.
That 1969 defense held teams to 38.9 yards a game rushing.
The 1970 team won the SEC. They could have won the SEC in back to back years but the Tigers went for the win verse Ole Miss in 1969 instead of the tie and lost 26-23.
That 1969 defense held teams to 38.9 yards a game rushing.
The 1970 team won the SEC. They could have won the SEC in back to back years but the Tigers went for the win verse Ole Miss in 1969 instead of the tie and lost 26-23.
This post was edited on 9/12/25 at 10:36 am
Posted on 9/12/25 at 10:33 am to bishop
quote:
That 1969 defense held team to 38.9 yards a game rushing.
That defense was one of if not the best to ever suit up at LSU. The funny part is LSU didn’t have the talent but just played hard. Very few players made it to the NFL off of those teams. Just a terrible coaching decision on not going for 2. Sickening Archie got us too.
1969 defense
Gave up 91 total points in 10 games
Held 7 of 10 opponents to 10 points or less with 3 shut outs
Held 9 of 10 opponents to <20 points per game
Gave up 26 to Mississippi in only loss.
Only Archie Manning and Pat Sullivan got to 20 on them.
This post was edited on 9/12/25 at 10:51 am
Posted on 9/12/25 at 11:15 am to Tiger1988
He could also punt.
Was the place kicker in high school.
I have a relative who played with him and met him at a wedding once. As nice a guy as you could ever meet.
Was the place kicker in high school.
I have a relative who played with him and met him at a wedding once. As nice a guy as you could ever meet.
Posted on 9/12/25 at 11:26 am to Tiger1988
Not only isTommy a great athlete, he is a man of great character. He was a great teammate, friendly, humble, modest, and complimentary of his teammates. He and I were tackling partners in defensive drills. He would always pick me up after he destroyed me with his tackle!
He was and is the All-American guy to admire. Need more like him today!
He was and is the All-American guy to admire. Need more like him today!
Posted on 9/12/25 at 11:44 am to BastropRam13
An honor to have played on the same team as him.
Posted on 9/12/25 at 12:02 pm to Tiger1988
Was at game. Thanks for posting article
Posted on 9/12/25 at 12:17 pm to Tiger1988
I wasn’t born when Tommy played football so I can’t really contribute to his football abilities but he did make me cough with my testicles in his hand. 
Don’t be alarmed he was a Legit Doctor giving me a physical. That’s my claim to fame.
Don’t be alarmed he was a Legit Doctor giving me a physical. That’s my claim to fame.
Posted on 9/12/25 at 12:51 pm to Tiger1988
As I remember, he was a big dude. Around Bert Jones size
Posted on 9/12/25 at 1:05 pm to Tiger1988
He came and spoke to us punk arse kids at Southeast Junior High. This while in med school and playing for the Bengals.
Posted on 9/12/25 at 2:13 pm to Tiger1988
Casanova was the greatest defensive player and best athlete in LSU football history
I seriously doubt we’ll ever see another Tiger make the 1st Team all SEC Team 3 years in a row and 1st Team NCAA Consensus All-American 2 years in a row ever again.
I seriously doubt we’ll ever see another Tiger make the 1st Team all SEC Team 3 years in a row and 1st Team NCAA Consensus All-American 2 years in a row ever again.
Posted on 9/12/25 at 2:26 pm to Tiger1988
Dr Casanova is an incredible guy with great character. I’ve worked along side of him before. On a side note and for those not aware, he’s in extremely poor health. Daily Prayers for him and his family!
Posted on 9/12/25 at 2:33 pm to Dickaroos
quote:
he did make me cough with my testicles in his hand.
weird part of an exam by an ophthalmologist , guess he was just being thorough
Posted on 9/12/25 at 2:53 pm to Asleepinthecove
quote:
Dr Casanova is an incredible guy with great character. I’ve worked along side of him before. On a side note and for those not aware, he’s in extremely poor health. Daily Prayers for him and his family!
He also ran track at LSU for a season or two…as I recall, he ran a leg on the 4X100 relay team.
I have also had former teammates say his health is not good. Unfortunately, football does take a toll on even the best of them.
Posted on 9/12/25 at 3:39 pm to ElderTiger
"Grear character": Story goes that he left politics after only one term ( questioning my memory here) because he couldn't stomach all the daily crap he had to put up with as a politician. The GOP lost a great representative when he stepped down. As an aside, I was working in Yellowstone National Park one summer while he was playing for LSU. His parents checked in the motor home parking grounds, where I worked, & after a brief LSU-related conversation, they invited me up to their motor home for a great La. supper & conversation, Good, good people, easy to see where Tommy comes from. Career -wise, the offensive coaches tried & tried to get him to switch over to RB, as he was as good a RB as he was a DB.
Posted on 9/12/25 at 5:26 pm to Tiger1988
the best LSU has ever had at pure safety. Mathieu played more of a star position imo.
Casanova and Burns were also really dynamic as two forces in the punt return game. Wish we employed that today with our two dynamic return stars.
Casanova and Burns were also really dynamic as two forces in the punt return game. Wish we employed that today with our two dynamic return stars.
Posted on 9/12/25 at 5:38 pm to Tiger1988
100% my favorite LSU player of all time.
Posted on 9/12/25 at 6:45 pm to Swampcat
He was a tremendous athlete and an outstanding human being 
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