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There is an old saying, which I cannot attribute to anyone in particular, that says, “The first thing in the human personality that dissolves in alcohol is dignity.”
Apparently, it wasn’t someone from Alabama who wrote that.
At least, he wasn’t an Alabama fan and wasn’t in the French Quarter on the night of Jan. 9 following the Crimson Tide’s 21-0 victory over LSU in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
If you haven’t heard the story, I’ll fill you in.
An LSU fan who had a little too much of the friendly spirits of New Orleans passed out in the Krystal Burger restaurant on Bourbon Street. What happened next was a scene out of Animal House. A group of Bama fans began to taunt and tease the drunken Tiger by pouring water on him, placing burger holders and paper on his back — all the while someone from the outside of the glass window was filming.
Note to all — it’s never a good idea to drink and do something stupid in a crowded area these days. It’s called YouTube ... look it up.
What began as a typical college prank quickly turned into something despicable.
One particular Alabama fan — now identified as 32-year-old Brian Downing of Smiths Station, Ala. — proceeded to remove his testicles from his pants and simulate a sex act on top of the LSU fan’s head. Yes, he literally climbed on top of the table with his privates hanging out and rubbed them on the man’s neck and head.
Think about that for a moment. We’re not talking about an innocent prank any longer. In Louisiana ... in New Orleans ... that’s considered sexual battery.
The video quickly became viral and spread from message board to message board among LSU and Alabama fans. It didn’t take long before law enforcement became involved.
Thursday, Downing was arrested and booked with sexual battery in New Orleans and bond was set at $10,000.
I’ve done some pretty dumb things while under the influence in my life. I was in college once. I’m sure everyone reading this has a skeleton in their closet that caused their “dignity to dissolve” because of alcohol.
But I’d like to believe ... nay, I must believe that 99 percent of us would not stoop to such a repugnant and abhorrent act. My faith in humanity took a small blow because of Mr. Downing.
The crazy aspect of this story is that there was a group of Alabama fans standing around watching Downing commit this act and did nothing to discourage or stop him. Of course, I also wonder why in the hell did the LSU fan’s friends leave him passed out in Krystal in the first place. It’s guy code in college to always have your friends’ backs in dire circumstances.
And my young LSU friend, being alone passed out on Bourbon Street at night is not wise. In the words of Dean Vernon Wormer of Animal House lore, “Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son.”
The second shocking aspect of Downing’s trek into internet video madness is he’s 32. He‘s not 18 or 19. He’s far removed from college. Did you really think this was a good idea?
Oh yes, reminder ... “The first thing in the human personality that dissolves in alcohol is dignity.”
I won’t pretend like I’ve never been looped on Bourbon Street. In fact, I’ve stopped off at Krystal for a bucket of burgers quite a few times on my way back to hotel rooms over the years.
But I’m no Huckleberry in this instance.
No matter what proof my blood measures, no matter how many times I’ve tipped the bottle ... you won’t find me degrading myself or another human being. That I can assure you.
If you view the video, you’ll notice Mr. Downing isn’t the only person tempted into perpetrating this lewd act. Another Bama fan begins to do the same, however, his level-headed female companion stops him.
Note to Downing ... from this point on, travel with a smart woman any time you’re going to be drinking amongst a sea of Tide fans.
Oh, and as for the LSU fan, aka victim, next time show a little control. There is less trouble for you in a hotel room than snoozing in the middle of the Krystal dining room.
Brian Trahan is Executive Editor of the Southwest Daily News and GateHouse Louisiana. Follow him on twitter via @SDNBrianTrahan or email him at swdailyeditor@gmail.com.
There is an old saying, which I cannot attribute to anyone in particular, that says, “The first thing in the human personality that dissolves in alcohol is dignity.”
Apparently, it wasn’t someone from Alabama who wrote that.
At least, he wasn’t an Alabama fan and wasn’t in the French Quarter on the night of Jan. 9 following the Crimson Tide’s 21-0 victory over LSU in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
If you haven’t heard the story, I’ll fill you in.
An LSU fan who had a little too much of the friendly spirits of New Orleans passed out in the Krystal Burger restaurant on Bourbon Street. What happened next was a scene out of Animal House. A group of Bama fans began to taunt and tease the drunken Tiger by pouring water on him, placing burger holders and paper on his back — all the while someone from the outside of the glass window was filming.
Note to all — it’s never a good idea to drink and do something stupid in a crowded area these days. It’s called YouTube ... look it up.
What began as a typical college prank quickly turned into something despicable.
One particular Alabama fan — now identified as 32-year-old Brian Downing of Smiths Station, Ala. — proceeded to remove his testicles from his pants and simulate a sex act on top of the LSU fan’s head. Yes, he literally climbed on top of the table with his privates hanging out and rubbed them on the man’s neck and head.
Think about that for a moment. We’re not talking about an innocent prank any longer. In Louisiana ... in New Orleans ... that’s considered sexual battery.
The video quickly became viral and spread from message board to message board among LSU and Alabama fans. It didn’t take long before law enforcement became involved.
Thursday, Downing was arrested and booked with sexual battery in New Orleans and bond was set at $10,000.
I’ve done some pretty dumb things while under the influence in my life. I was in college once. I’m sure everyone reading this has a skeleton in their closet that caused their “dignity to dissolve” because of alcohol.
But I’d like to believe ... nay, I must believe that 99 percent of us would not stoop to such a repugnant and abhorrent act. My faith in humanity took a small blow because of Mr. Downing.
The crazy aspect of this story is that there was a group of Alabama fans standing around watching Downing commit this act and did nothing to discourage or stop him. Of course, I also wonder why in the hell did the LSU fan’s friends leave him passed out in Krystal in the first place. It’s guy code in college to always have your friends’ backs in dire circumstances.
And my young LSU friend, being alone passed out on Bourbon Street at night is not wise. In the words of Dean Vernon Wormer of Animal House lore, “Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son.”
The second shocking aspect of Downing’s trek into internet video madness is he’s 32. He‘s not 18 or 19. He’s far removed from college. Did you really think this was a good idea?
Oh yes, reminder ... “The first thing in the human personality that dissolves in alcohol is dignity.”
I won’t pretend like I’ve never been looped on Bourbon Street. In fact, I’ve stopped off at Krystal for a bucket of burgers quite a few times on my way back to hotel rooms over the years.
But I’m no Huckleberry in this instance.
No matter what proof my blood measures, no matter how many times I’ve tipped the bottle ... you won’t find me degrading myself or another human being. That I can assure you.
If you view the video, you’ll notice Mr. Downing isn’t the only person tempted into perpetrating this lewd act. Another Bama fan begins to do the same, however, his level-headed female companion stops him.
Note to Downing ... from this point on, travel with a smart woman any time you’re going to be drinking amongst a sea of Tide fans.
Oh, and as for the LSU fan, aka victim, next time show a little control. There is less trouble for you in a hotel room than snoozing in the middle of the Krystal dining room.
Brian Trahan is Executive Editor of the Southwest Daily News and GateHouse Louisiana. Follow him on twitter via @SDNBrianTrahan or email him at swdailyeditor@gmail.com.
