re: LSU - The National Champions of 1908

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Baton Rouge had nickel beer

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And remember the proximity to New Orleans.

In the postseason, there were Donnybrooks occurring widespread in New Orleans over the Grantland Rice tall tales about the 1908 LSU Team instigated by loathsome Tulane lowlifes.

My grandpa Pat Ryan from New Orleans had hosted several 1908 team members including Doc Fenton, and were involved in one such Donnybrook after Dixie Brewery held their Penney-a-beer fest (recently opened 1907) competing with Jax & Falstaff.

My grandpa Pat Ryan was said to be a man of iron, albeit a backup hb that was used to chop down defenders and finish off long drives when things were slowing down or stalling.

Minding their business and celebrating a 10-0 season in New Orleans with LSU supporters, they faced down a larger Tulane crowd that had gathered to molest them on Tulane Ave where Dixie Brewery was.

LSU was guilty of being on THEIR TULAME Avenue

LSU players & their supporters, outnumbered by those from Tulane, listened to insults for ABOUT TWO SECONDS as my Grandpa Pat Ryan would say later. Pat Ryan charged into the biggest one first and knocked him cold and flatter than a pancake and it was on!

Dixie Brewery called police who got there too late for Tulane and they found a pile of butt hurt, whipped and broken Tulane supporters with no one to arrest.

Our guys lit out in cars to another brewery and “howled the night away” as grandpa told.

Doc and his boy Tom made grandpa Ryan’s funeral and Doc relayed that night’s events and other funny stories to the laughter of the crowd gathered there to celebrate his life.

Penney-a-beer Dixie! What a hangover that musta been. And that Falstaff beer, Jesus! I’d rather drink out the Mississippi River