Critics of the move expressed concerns about Mike’s well-being if he had to attend football games again.

Mike VII, an 8-year-old Siberian Bengal tiger who became LSU’s official mascot in 2017, has never attended a football game. Previous Tigers were housed in a trailer and paraded on the sidelines of home games, and some even traveled to away games. The university announced it would break the tradition when it adopted Mike VII as a cub.

Guttner said Mike VI had negative reactions to visual and auditory stimuli during pregame celebrations and was reluctant to climb into a trailer cage to be taken to Tiger Stadium. His last appearance was at the LSU-McNeese game in 2015, which was canceled due to a lightning strike. Mike VI did not participate in any games in 2014.

But those practical concerns didn’t end discussions by the Landry administration, which has proposed acquiring a second tiger — a cub that could be raised to acclimate to the sights and sounds of LSU Notoriously loud football stadium.

Landry said he recently met with Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, a Republican who played defensive back for the Nebraska Cornhuskers from 1975 to 1978. Pillen recalled seeing Mike IV parked outside the visitors’ locker room when he played at Tiger Stadium in 1976 in a game that ended 6-6.

“He said it was one of the most intimidating experiences of his life. It was a memory he will always have and cherish, and he is ready to come back and see LSU play again,” Landry said.

Landry said Mike’s return to the games is an opportunity to showcase LSU’s academic achievements and athletics.

In an interview outside of Mike’s home after the press conference, Landry speculated that bringing the Tiger into the stadium would “bring the magic back” and could help LSU win more games. “Bring back the magic” was also a promise from former LSU head coach Gerry DiNardo, who coached the Tigers from 1995 to 1999 and revived LSU’s tradition of wearing white jerseys at home games.