Another player seems to be jumping in the race to become Baton Rouge’s next mayor.
Facebook and Twitter pages have been created in the last few days appearing to show former LSU football star and Southern University Athletic Director Greg LaFleur is running for mayor.
In an email, LaFleur says he will make an official announcement regarding his candidacy Wednesday morning.
LaFleur would be throwing his hat in an ever-crowding ring to succeed three-term mayor Kip Holden, who is barred from running for a fourth term in office. So far, former state Sen. Sharon Weston Broome, Metro Councilman John Delgado. Former Metro Council members Byron Sharper also has announced mayoral campaigns.
State Sen. Bodi White has filed campaign finance reports that show his intention to run for mayor, but he is expected to make a formal announcement Wednesday.
Neither page for LaFleur lists any campaign platforms. They only offer links for supporters to donate to his campaign.
LaFleur played wide receiver and tight end at LSU before spending six seasons in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts, according to FOXSports.com. After his professional career ended, LaFleur spent 12 years in LSU’s Athletics Department before taking over as athletic director at Texas State University, Chicago State University and Southern University.
In 2011, LaFleur was arrested in Houston and charged with soliciting a prostitute, and he was immediately fired from Southern. He was later acquitted of those charges and settled a wrongful termination lawsuit with Southern for $150,000.
—Ryan Broussard
