After a long day of work, Tommy Banks comes home to his wife of three years and his baby boy, Tag. With a baby girl on the way, many would not recognize the daddy as a one-time LSU great.
Banks played fullback for the Tigers for four years, achieving success on the field including a touchdown in 1997 to defeat then-No. 1 Florida. Banks became a household name in Louisiana when he was featured in the center spread of Sports Illustrated after diving into the end zone in that memorable game against Spurrier’s Gators.
Watching college players dominate the playing field, it is hard to see them as anything other than an athlete. Then something weird happens; graduation approaches and reality sets in. For several prominent players, the path of reality sent them in several different directions from Tiger Stadium.
One of the well-known brother duos in recent LSU history was quarterback Josh Booty and his brother Abram. Josh now lives in Newport Beach, Calif. He plays neither baseball nor football.
He is head talent consultant for Athletes First along with his agent in hopes of getting into the NFL.
Little brother and former wide receiver Abram has taken a similar road to that of Banks. He has two kids, General (3) and Avery (12 weeks) with his wife, Ashley.
 Aside from being a dad, the younger Booty also owns his own health insurance company in Shreveport, but makes time to participate in football. He is a volunteer coach at Calvary Baptist as offensive coordinator under head coach John Booty — his father.
“I enjoy what I am doing right now,” Abram said. “I enjoy business, and I am happy where I’m at. I may get back into the game as a high school coach, but that is as far as I will go.”
Other players have a harder time giving up football, especially those who have experienced winning a National Championship.
Rodney Reed strived for excellence on and off the field as a Tiger and a scholar athlete. The Carolina Panthers picked up Reed last year, but he still is awaiting a contract offer for next season. Reed keeps himself busy in Houston working for the accounting company Ernst and Young.
“If the Panthers signing does not work out, I possibly am interested in coaching a couple of years down the road,” Reed said. “I may come back to LSU for law school and possibly look into coaching.”
Reed — who a little over a year ago presented President George W. Bush with a LSU jersey at the White House’s “Champions Day” — already reflects on his LSU experience and takes it with him in other areas of life.
“When you are successful, everything ties together — not just being a successful player, but time in school too,” Reed said. “If you work hard, good things happen.” 
While others are hanging on to their football careers in hopes of getting re-signed, former quarterback Matt Mauck resides in Denver and looks forward to next season. During the regular season, Mauck was called up for the first three games, but did not receive a call until the last game of the season. The calls automatically gave him a spot on the team for next season.
“I plan on playing as long as I can,” Mauck said. “I just have to wait and decide if the people here like me and keep me around for a while.”
Mauck is far away from LSU. He exchanged the hot, humid weather of southern Louisiana for the cold mountains of central Colorado — foregoing dental school for a chance at NFL stardom. But he still keeps the memories and lessons close.
“When you are in a place for four years, you always remember the friendships you make and people you meet,” Mauck said. “It was a neat time, but it’s time to move on and make new accomplishments.”
Players of the past made more than touchdowns and sacks while at LSU — they made memories. And wherever their lives, careers and families lead them, Tiger Stadium and the town of Baton Rouge are things they will always share.