A well-known former LSU football player who went on to become a popular restauranteur in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, Louisiana has died. Ruffin Rodrigue Jr. was 53.

Rodrigue’s mark on the food industry can be found in Baton Rouge and Lafayette staples: Ruffino’s. He also owned other enterprises, WBRZ reported. Rodrigue was an LSU football player like his father.

“Whether it’s the food we serve or the service we provide, our goal is to ensure a remarkable experience for our guests that will always be remembered,” Rodrigue said of his restaurant’s philosophy in a statement on its website.

Rodrigue credited his success to his father and his time on the LSU football squad. His restaurant remembered: “As a football player at LSU, Ruffin learned another valuable lesson that would provide the foundation of things to come – that hard work always pays off when you love what you do.”

Ruffino’s released a statement Wednesday morning about Rodrigue’s passing:

“Ruffino’s is saddened to announce that our owner and founder Ruffin Rodrigue Jr. passed away unexpectedly last night. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”

On the SEC coaches media teleconference on Wednesday, coach Ed Orgeron said he was “crushed” when he found out and called Rodrigue a tremendous person to be around.