While this should go without saying, Ole Miss said it anyway. According to reports, on Thursday, Ole Miss announced that LSU’s purple and gold would be banned in the student section of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
“Effective immediately, no person wearing an opposing team’s gear or colors will be allowed entrance into the student section,” read an Ole Miss message to students this week, according to the Clarion Ledger. “Additionally, anyone found to be wearing opposing team apparel or colors in the student section will be removed.”
Normally, it would be obvious not to spend any time in the student section of an opposing college sports team wearing the opponent’s gear, but there is precedent.
There was an incident involving an LSU fan in the right field bleachers where Ole Miss students sit during a Rebels baseball game against LSU on April 11 at Swayze Field. In video of the altercation, a man in an LSU hat and jersey was being escorted out of the area after an Ole Miss fan sprayed him with a drink. The LSU fan charged in and struck a man while a security guard attempted to move between him and the other fan.
The Ole Miss-LSU game has led to extra security measures being put into place
Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell announced on Wednesday that there will an “enhanced law enforcement” presence in Oxford and around the Ole Miss campus.
“This weekend will bring a significant number of visitors to Oxford, and our priority is making sure everyone can enjoy the game and surrounding events safely,” Tindell said in a press release. “This enhanced presence is about being prepared, staying proactive, and working together.
“I’m grateful for our Troopers and officers, as well as our partners and the University of Mississippi, the City of Oxford, and Louisiana State Police for the coordination and commitment they are bringing to this weekend. We encourage everyone coming to Oxford to plan ahead, be patient on the roadways, and do their part to make it a safe and enjoyable weekend.”
According to Front Office Sports, the Oxford Police Department has declared an “all hands on deck” situation ahead of Saturday night, as the approximately 150-member police force will be assisted by cops from Mobile, Alabama and mounted horse units from New Orleans.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has even joked about deploying the National Guard while addressing security measures for Lane Kiffin’s return to Ole Miss. Ole Miss has also reportedly built a special fence for the LSU team bus.
Stephen A. Smith decided not to attend the game: ‘I’m not taking that chance’
On Thursday, ESPN broadcaster Stephen A. Smith revealed that he refused a chance to attend LSU-Ole Miss game because of all of the safety concerns.
“I was supposed to be going down there,” Smith said on his Mad Dog Sports Radio show. “You know what? That’s what TVs are for. I ain’t going.
“They’re talking about heightened security, they’re talking about people having to wear bulletproof vests, they’re talking about the venom and hostility that’s gonna be aimed in his direction. They’re talking about some wild stuff that’s gonna go down there at Ole Miss this weekend.”
Smith added: “I am not trying to find myself in that mayhem,’ he continued. It would be one thing if I was going down with my buddies at College GameDay. But I would be going down there on my own… and I’m not taking that chance.”