LSU football coach Les Miles gave a wide-ranging talk to the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge today at Tiger Stadium, touching on the police shooting that killed three law enforcement officers as well as politics and football.
In the Stadium Club overlooking the football field, Miles encouraged the crowd of several hundred to continue the dialogue on the troubles facing Baton Rouge, adding he “loves” living in the city. He had strong words for Gavin Long, the shooter who killed two Baton Rouge police officers and one East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff’s deputy.
“He [the shooter] died in anonymity to me. The guys who wore blue, they were heroes,” Miles said, adding that “this community is built on the differences with people that we have.”
He also gave his support to law enforcement, calling policing a “difficult job.”
Baton Rouge has been struck with tragedy since earlier this month when Alton Sterling, a 37-year-old black man, was killed by two white police officers in the northern part of the city. Days of tense protests by hundreds followed before the attack on police. The last of three law enforcement officers killed was laid to rest Monday.
Miles said he visited the officers wounded in the shooting and set off a standing ovation for BRPD Chief Carl Dabadie, East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux and Louisiana State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson. Edmonson served as Miles’ personal security detail at football games when Miles first arrived at LSU.
Noting that it is a campaign year in the U.S., Miles professed his disdain for “communistic” and “socialistic” ideals before turning to the upcoming football season, which begins Sept. 3 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, against the University of Wisconsin.
“We expect those in purple and gold will travel very well,” he said. “We bring one [fan] and they scream like 10 of those other guys.”
He touted progress made by junior quarterback Brandon Harris, who he said is more “prepared” and “comfortable” this year, and mentioned others, including Heisman Trophy candidate Leonard Fournette and wide receiver Malachi Dupre, as players to keep an eye on.
Miles called a wreck that killed two college football players and injured LSU kicker Colby Delahoussaye “tragic.” Delahoussaye was in Wisconsin for a camp and was on his way to a coach’s house when the crash happened, Miles said.
—Sam Karlin
