Do not count on LSU defensive tackle Chad Lavalais to visit the state of Mississippi again.
Following LSU’s 17-14 road victory over Ole Miss in Oxford, Lavalais spoke candidly about what he said was the “n-word” directed toward him and other black LSU players by white Ole Miss players.
“I tried to keep my composure when I got into Mississippi,” Lavalais said. “I saw thousands of Confederate flags, I had players from their team call me and a couple of other guys the ‘n-word’ a few times. I’m not going to name any names.”
When questioned further, Lavalais said the players in question were white. Lavalais said one player used the term and then walked to the Ole Miss sideline before he could confront the player.
“I’m glad I don’t have to go in that state anymore,” he said. “That just shows me the mentality some people have up there. But that’s everywhere.”
Shortly thereafter, defensive end Marcus Spears confirmed Lavalais’ story. He said he heard the slurs as well.
“It kind of surprised me, but you know that’s one of those things you have to tune out,” Spears said. “It’s unfortunate guys are still saying those kinds of things to you, but you just move on and get going and just know that some areas are still the same. Some people have moved past that. It’s not anything that affects you.”
Spears said though the comments made him upset on the field, he understands the bigger picture.
Spears said those who used the word are not reflective of the white LSU players who have accepted him and his black teammates.
“It’s one of those things where very few are like that so you just have to look past it,” Spears said.
LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette said the team had no comment but stands behind Lavalais.
The Reveille tried to contact Langston Rogers, Ole Miss’ associate athletics director for media relations. Two messages were not returned before press time.
A receptionist with Ole Miss said Rogers was in and out of the office on Monday because it was media relations day.
Earlier Monday during Nick Saban’s weekly press luncheon, the coach commented on the atmosphere in Oxford.
“The atmosphere we went into for this game was a really tough one,” Saban said. “Their fans were really jazzed up.”
Saban even joked about the gestures he received from the fans.
“It was about as difficult place to play as I’ve ever played,” Saban said. “Not to be disrespectful to anybody, but I’ve never been treated in such indignant ways with what people flashed at me. [You could] probably take all the times it’s been flashed my way and multiply it by 10,000. That’s about as good as it gets.”
Offensive lineman Rodney Reed said he was impressed with the large number of LSU fans who took the trip to Oxford.
“It was a great college atmosphere,” Reed said. “It was great we had so many LSU fans go up there. It speaks volumes of the support we have. It was really loud for 60,000 people.”