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LSU head coach Les Miles was scheduled to travel to ESPN’s campus Monday for the SEC’s annual carwash event, however he cancelled those plans Sunday in wake of the recent police shootings in Baton Rouge.
In turns out the tragedy hit close to home for Miles, as he had a prior relationship with one of the slain officers. While he didn’t make the trip to Bristol, the Tigers head coach did give a video interview with ESPN to give his thoughts on the shooting and revealed he knew one victims – Montrell Jackson.
“Change will occur.”
–@LSUCoachMiles pic.twitter.com/YZ8Ps1PD15— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) July 19, 2016
“Montrell Jackson has had conversations with me and my family. (He was) just a joy to be around,” Miles said to ESPN. “It’s a day where the state of Louisiana and Baton Rouge has a heavy heart.”
Miles also discussed his decision to stay home, citing the need to be close to his family, his team and his players – many of whom have family members of their own working in law enforcement in Baton Rouge.
“The community is heart sick over the loss of three fine civil servants,” Miles said. “I wanted to be around my players. We have several players who have law enforcement fathers. I wanted them to see me in the weight room, our study area and on campus. It also put me in position, if I can come be a part of whatever issues the police department and those agencies are having, I’d like to be a part of that too.”
After opening his Media Days session with his thoughts on the recent tragedies in Dallas, Minnesota and the first incident in Baton Rouge, the fact that his city was faced with multiple incidents seemed to take its toll on Miles.
“It’s very difficult to recognize that this is Baton Rouge,” Miles said. “Baton Rouge is a spectacular community. The interactions are great. It’s just been tragic. The men that passed are all guys we recognize as being tremendous servants.”
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
