Everyone get off Leonard Fournette’s back, please.
Sure, the freshman running back who received insane levels of hype did the Heisman pose in his second career game after scoring his first career touchdown.
Sure, it came against rent-a-win, glorified whipping post Sam Houston State.
Sure, he could only muster 18 yards on eight carries against a depleted, inexperienced Wisconsin front, the same team that was up by only six points against Western Illinois at halftime Saturday.
But hey, anytime you can take the spotlight off a great team performance and focus it squarely on yourself, you do it.
Especially if everyone on the planet has declared you the greatest thing since sliced bread and if you’re only using your college career to further your personal brand.
Maybe all of the fans in the stadium should head online and pick up “Buga Nation” jerseys rather than the traditional purple and gold.
While in the lead up to his career at LSU, Fournette said and did everything. He earned the respect of a notoriously fickle fanbase and gained a reputation as a stand-up act.

But sometimes actions speak louder than words.
So until Fournette plays for the name on the front of the jersey rather than the one on the back, he’ll continue to lose the respect of the LSU fan base. “Buga” is the team Fournette currently plays for, not LSU, and Tiger fans should grow accustomed to that notion.
Because we all know LSU is only a stop on the route for Fournette’s impending greatness. I’m sure NFL linebackers are already quivering in their boots at the thought of Fournette stampeding toward them.
Take away his admittedly impressive 40-yard romp, and Fournette ran for 52 yards on 12 carries. Those 52 yards came against a defense that allowed Eastern Washington’s Quincy Forte to run for 153 yards and a touchdown in its opening game of the season. I wonder if Forte thought it prudent to mimic the Heisman pose after his touchdown.
Maybe it’s the fans’ fault. Maybe all the hype got into his head. But Fournette would do well to remember some of the previous highly recruited players who failed before him.
Before Russell Shepard came to Baton Rouge he was a “can’t miss” prospect. Ryan Perrilloux before him.
I don’t think that one play will define Fournette’s career, but by enabling him and reinforcing his ego, Les Miles is doing the freshman a disservice.
Miles compared Fournette to Adrian Peterson and Michael Jordan before the season, lofty praise for a player who hadn’t accomplished anything on a college football field yet.
On the field after the incident, Miles clearly was not pleased with Fournette’s action, but defended him after the game. Miles has a reputation for being a players coach and defending his guys no matter what, but I struggle to see a scenario in my mind in which Nick Saban defends someone after pulling a stunt like that.
Patrick Peterson, another Tiger who struck the Heisman pose after a touchdown, was another player who had a notorious level of self-confidence. But Peterson’s antics on and off the field stemmed from success at the college level.
Peterson had established a reputation as the one of the biggest playmakers in college football and a premier lockdown corner in the Southeastern Conference. His Heisman stance came after a 60 yard punt return touchdown against then-No.22 West Virginia, in what would end up being a one score game.
It didn’t come after a plethora of high school YouTube highlight film established him as an internet celebrity or in the midst of a 56 point blowout.
Fournette obviously thinks he’s earned the type of acclaim, just notice the number on his jersey. But respect at this level is earned, not given.
So, my advice to young freshman is to remember how he got to this position. Remember that in high school the thing that impressed everyone wasn’t just your freakish athletic ability, but your humble, hard working attitude.
Also remember you probably have to run for more than 92 yards against an overmatched FCS team to the Heisman.
Trey Labat is a 22-year-old history senior from Mandevillew. You can reach him on Twitter @treylabat_TDR.