Leonard Fournette recently questioned LSU’s pregame tradition of featuring celebrity guests during the Tiger Walk. Less than a week later, the former Tigers running back appeared alongside head coach Lane Kiffin during the walk before LSU hosted Texas.
The moment drew attention because Fournette had criticized the practice just six days earlier. In a video shared online, he can be seen walking with Kiffin before the game. The footage does not establish whether the two discussed Fournette’s comments, and he has not publicly explained his appearance.
Fournette made his criticism during the November 8 episode of *4th and South*, one day after LSU lost to Alabama. He objected to the focus on famous guests, naming Shaquille O’Neal, Angel Reese and Kevin Costner as examples.
“They had Shaq come out. They had Angel Reese come out. Angel Reese, Shaq, and Kevin [Costner], they not about to come help us on this motherf******g football field,” Fournette said. “It does not make no sense to me. Yes, I love everything Coach Kiffin is doing, but that s— has to stop.”
Kiffin, however, indicated after the Alabama loss that he did not intend to end or reduce the tradition. Asked whether LSU would scale back its pregame presentation, he said he had not considered stopping it.
“I don’t consider not doing it,” Kiffin said. “It doesn’t have to do with winning or losing games; who walks in.”
He also rejected the idea that a celebrity’s participation had affected LSU’s performance. Referring to the team’s struggles in the red zone against Alabama, Kiffin said the guests were not the reason the Tigers failed to execute. He described the walk as having value beyond the outcome of a particular game.
“That’s much more from a standpoint of visual, from a program standpoint, from a recruiting standpoint,” he said.
The Tiger Walk has featured other well-known guests, including rappers Lil Wayne and Boosie. Kiffin was also asked about Costner’s attendance. The actor is from California, and Kiffin said the two had met many years earlier. He had asked Costner whether he would come watch a game sometime.
Fournette has described the walk differently, emphasizing what it means for players. On *The Pivot Podcast*, he said the tradition should serve as a reward for the athletes after the work they put in during the season.
“When we was at school, practice was hell,” Fournette said. “That’s the time you put the grind in. To me, the Tiger Walk is a reward for the players.”
LSU’s connection to prominent former players is also visible during games. The stadium screens often highlight Tigers alumni who went on to successful NFL careers. Among the most celebrated is Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who played a central role in LSU’s 2019 national championship season.
Fournette’s appearance with Kiffin before the Texas game therefore created a striking contrast with his recent remarks. It is unclear whether he changed his view, attended for another reason or simply chose to take part in the walk despite his criticism. The available video shows him alongside the coach, but it does not reveal what they discussed.
LSU also planned to retire Bert Jones’ No. 7 jersey at halftime of the Texas game. Jones was the school’s first All-American quarterback, making the ceremony another opportunity to recognize a significant figure in the program’s history.
