No attempt will be made to transport Mike the Tiger to pre-game events on home football gamedays during the 2016 season, according to a Tuesday news release from the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine.

“LSU has never forced Mike VI to attend the pre-game events; the decision to get into his trailer has always been left up to him,” said Vet School Director of Public Relations Ginger Guttner in the release. “LSU understands that the tradition of having Mike on the field on game day is important; however, Mike’s health, safety and well-being are always our top priority.”

Mike was diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma, a type of cancer, in May. He received stereotactic radiotherapy at Baton Rouge’s Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center on June 1.

“It appears that the tumor in Mike’s face responded to the radiation treatment and has shrunk in size. Mike’s attitude, weight and appetite are normal, and he does not appear to be in any pain,” Guttner said in the release. “Eventually, the radiation-resistant cells remaining in the tumor will resume growth. As for time frames, it is estimated that without treatment Mike would have lived for just one or two months; with treatment, perhaps one to two years.”
The Tigers’ first home football game is set to take place Saturday at 6:30 p.m. against Jacksonville State.