College football mourns passing of LSU's tiger, Mike VI

Credit: Doug Benc

Credit: Doug Benc

Live mascots are great, but there is a downside: They eventually die.

And so it came to pass that the college football community is mourning Tuesday the passing of Mike VI, the tiger who most recently represented LSU athletics.

The 11-year-old big cat, who officially became the team mascot the same season the LSU football team beat Ohio State for the national championship, was diagnosed with cancer in May and attempts to treat the disease were unsuccessful.

There are no formal funeral arrangements being planned, but the school is on the lookout for a new young tiger to adopt to be Mike’s successor.

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