LSU’s beloved live mascot may be gone, but he’s not been forgotten.
Earlier this week, Mike VI was euthanized following a months-long battle with a rare form of cancer. In May, the 11-year-old tiger was diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma and, while an experimental form of radiation initially shrunk the tumor in his head, the cancer subsequently spread to his legs, throughout his lungs and elsewhere.
Thursday, the school revealed that the football program will “celebrate the life” of the Bengal/Siberian mix, starting with wearing a helmet sticker for Saturday’s game against Southern Miss.The memorial decal for Mike VI that the Tigers will wear this weekend pic.twitter.com/NU10zVIgdt
— LSU Football Equip (@LSUFBEquipment) October 13, 2016
EO on Saturday: We’re going to celebrate the life of Mike the Tiger, and welcome our players back. It’s going to be a good time.
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) October 13, 2016
Despite PETA’s ongoing protests, LSU is currently searching for a new live tiger mascot and is expected to have one in place for the start of the 2017 season.