“No Matter the Miles: Why I’ll Always Bleed Purple and Gold”

I may not be in Louisiana, but I’m an LSU fan—wherever I am, wherever I go, and wherever life takes me. That’s not something that changes with zip codes, time zones, or the shifting winds of college sports. It’s a part of me, deep down, just as real as any memory or family tradition. My love for LSU didn’t require me to be born in Baton Rouge or grow up near Tiger Stadium. It just had to be felt. And once I felt it, there was no turning back.

There’s a certain kind of magic that comes with being part of the LSU community, even from afar. Maybe it’s that unique blend of pride and passion, the rhythm of a band playing “Callin’ Baton Rouge” on a Saturday night, or the simple joy of seeing a sea of purple and gold waving in the air after a big win. Maybe it’s hearing Ed Orgeron’s gravelly “Geaux Tigers!” or watching the women’s basketball team dominate under Kim Mulkey. Or maybe, it’s just that something in the soul that connects you to the Tigers, no matter where you are.

Being an LSU fan while living outside of Louisiana means you wear your heart on your sleeve a little more than others. You catch people’s attention with your LSU hoodie at the grocery store or your license plate frame on the highway. Strangers who know the brand will give you a nod, sometimes a “Geaux Tigers,” and in that moment, there’s an unspoken bond. You don’t need to know someone’s story to know that they, too, are connected to something greater. That’s what LSU is: not just a university or a sports program, but a community, a heartbeat, a family.

It’s not always easy being a fan from afar. When Tiger Stadium erupts after a Joe Burrow touchdown or when Angel Reese silences a crowd with her play, I feel those moments from a distance. I stream the games, refresh social media constantly, and text other fans while the clock ticks down. I don’t get the luxury of being in the crowd, of feeling the roar physically shake the ground, but I still feel the emotion, the highs and the heartbreaks. That passion reaches you wherever you are.

And oh, the heartbreaks—there have been plenty. But that’s part of what makes being a fan meaningful. Sticking through the tough seasons, defending your team through the media storms, believing in the rebuilds and the comeback stories—that’s real fandom. That’s what it means to be loyal. The easy thing is to cheer when everything is going right. The meaningful thing is to stand firm when your team is struggling. I’ve watched LSU go through ups and downs in football, in basketball, in baseball, but the love never wavers. It deepens.

There are times I’ve had to explain my fandom. People ask why I care so much about a team from a place I don’t currently live in. The truth is, LSU is more than a location. It’s a symbol. It represents toughness, tradition, resilience, and southern pride. It represents family—both the one you were born into and the one you find in the stands, at tailgates, or through group chats that light up every Saturday. It represents standing tall and standing together. That’s something that can live in your heart no matter where you rest your head at night.

And let’s be honest, LSU doesn’t make it hard to love them. From the electric atmosphere of Death Valley at night to the charisma of the athletes and coaches who wear the colors with pride, there’s so much to admire. Think of the legacy of players like Tyrann Mathieu, Shaquille O’Neal, Seimone Augustus, Dylan Crews, and Ja’Marr Chase. Think of the grit it takes to win a College World Series or the swagger it takes to win a national title in women’s basketball and set the internet ablaze doing it. That’s LSU through and through—talent, pride, and unshakable identity.

Being an LSU fan away from Louisiana also makes those rare opportunities to return or connect in person even more special. I remember the first time I went to a game at Tiger Stadium. The energy was surreal, like stepping into something sacred. The tailgates stretched as far as I could see. The food, the music, the people—it was a celebration of culture as much as sport. You don’t just attend an LSU game. You experience it with every sense. The smell of gumbo in the air, the sound of the Golden Band from Tigerland, the sight of Mike the Tiger—it’s unforgettable.

But when you’re not there in person, you find other ways to stay close. You decorate your home with LSU memorabilia. You teach your kids the fight song. You follow recruiting news like it’s gospel. You memorize the schedule and count down the days to kickoff or first pitch. You cheer like you’re in the front row, even if you’re watching from 1,000 miles away. It’s all part of the rhythm of being a fan—your way of staying connected when geography tries to pull you away.

There’s also something special about watching LSU athletes go on to represent the Tigers in the professional world. You see them in NFL end zones, at the WNBA All-Star Game, and on Olympic podiums. And every time you hear “LSU” in a broadcast or see someone flash the tiger claw after a touchdown, it brings a sense of pride that words don’t quite capture. They represent us, the fans who cheered them on from college days to the big leagues. And we’re still cheering, still proud, still family.

Even outside of sports, LSU fans know how to show up. When tragedy strikes the state or a beloved coach retires, fans from all over the country unite in support. When there’s something to celebrate, we light up social media with our purple hearts and “Geaux Tigers!” chants. We don’t need to be in Louisiana to feel that spirit. It’s embedded in us, sewn into the fabric of who we are.

I’ve found myself in airports, restaurants, and random cities where a fellow Tiger fan spotted my shirt or hat and instantly struck up a conversation. Sometimes it’s just a quick acknowledgment, but other times it turns into a long chat about recent games, favorite players, or what we miss most about Baton Rouge. Those moments remind me that fandom travels. It crosses state lines, time zones, even borders. Being an LSU fan isn’t something you do. It’s something you are.

That’s why I say it proudly: I may not be in Louisiana, but I’m an LSU fan wherever I am. Through the wins and losses, through the coaching changes and championship seasons, through the quiet offseasons and the roaring Saturdays in the fall—I’m there. I’m part of the roar, even if it’s just echoing off the walls of my living room.

It doesn’t matter where I live. LSU lives in me. Always has, always will. And when people ask where my sports loyalty lies, I smile and say the same thing every time: “I’m with the Tigers. Forever LSU.”