re: What year did you really begin to pay attention to LSU football

I would go to games off and on with my Dad throughout my childhood. We only had two tickets and I had to share those with my Mom so I wasn't at EVERY game. Then my Dad got sick in the summer of 2002 and was in the hospital waiting for a heart transplant. He received a new heart just as football season started. With he and my Mom at Oschners in NOLA for the next couple of months I used the tickets the entire season that year. This was also my first year of college. It was awesome. No more stress about Dad being sick, and a full seasons worth of tickets for myself and whoever I wanted to bring.

That year also changed the family dynamic towards football games. My parents could see how much fun I was having, Mom was exhausted from the most stressful year of her life, and Dad was hyper focused on taking care of his new heart/second chance at life. My mom hasn't been back to an LSU football game since as she says she decided to "retire" from going to games. She's a fan, but not to the extent we are, so she let it become a father and son thing. My dad never returned to going to every game and they pretty much became my tickets until I moved away in 2013. Now I will drive in for the games I want, and if he doesn't want to go to that game my wife will go with me. If I'm not in town he will bring one of my cousins or uncles with him.

1957 - one year ahead of all the fans that jumped on the band wagon in 58. It was more of a team game then. My favorite - Chinese Bandits.

1995 when I was listening to the LSU Auburn game on the radio. It's hard to believe games weren't televised like they are now. I was always a fan but I just remember living and dying with each play that night. The rest is history. I remember it was a huge deal that LSU was ranked #15 in the country after that win. People were really excited over that ranking.

By 1976 I had designed my own LSU drinking game.
Every time Charlie Mac said "let's give credit where credit is due" on his tv show, I took a shot of kool-aid from my sippy cup.

Around 84-85, end of the Hilliard/James gang. Lost track once I hit late teens, early twenties. Got back on board around 98ish... Early pre-season favorite that year.

1953 Head coach Gaynell Tinsley....L Coacl Charley Mac...QB Al Doggett

1959, like many others, born with purple & gold tracing thru my veins. Grew up in north BR, can still see, in my memory, mom and dad getting dressed up on Sat night, mom with her corsage and all, getting ready to go to the game. Growing up, Daddy would take me and my brother whenever he had the chance, and to this day, when the band marches onto the field i still get that electrifying sensation.....nothing compares.

First game I can actually remember what was going on was the 1972 Bluebonnet Bowl, Bert Jones vs. Tennessee and Condridge Holloway. Condridge outplayed old Burt badly that day. And I cried when we lost.

Went to my first game at TS the next year and was hooked from then on. I was 7 and my Mom and Dad would have me tell any adult they came across the name of all the LSU players I knew. Al Coffee was my first favorite player.

I cant give you enough thumbs up for that group !