ESPN's Paul Finebaum is warning former LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels: never step foot on the Baton Rouge, Louisiana campus again.
Daniels, who won a Heisman Trophy at LSU, issued a cease and desist to the Tigers, demanding that they stop using his name, image and likeness to promote the program, after they issued his old No. 5 jersey to another player.
"The Daniels family is deeply disappointed and feels profoundly disrespected by LSU's decision to give Jayden's number to another player," the statement from Daniels' spokesperson said. "Jayden and his family had every reason to believe that his number would remain a meaningful part of his LSU legacy and would be honored and protected in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the university."
The statement continued: "Jayden made it clear that he did not want his number given to another player, and he believed his wishes would be respected. His Heisman Trophy-winning season and everything he accomplished on and off the field cemented his place in LSU history. To see his number given to another player is incredibly disappointing and feels like a failure to honor the significance of what Jayden accomplished at LSU."
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LSU coach Lane Kiffin is allowing sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett to wear the No. 5 jersey.
Finebaum blasts Daniels for his decision
Finebaum joined The Sports Junkies on 106.7 The Fan on Friday.
“I want to say one thing because I’m not an equivocator, but I got to know Jayden when he was at LSU,” Finebaum said. “I really liked him, talked to him a lot, and I would interview [former LSU head coach] Brian Kelly. Even when he went to the Commanders, there was a great sense of pride in what he did the first year. I say all that to say this: He’s lost all of that from everywhere and everyone in LSU Nation after what happened this week.”
“I’ve rarely, if ever, seen a dumber, more senseless move,” Finebaum continued. “I don’t know who pulled the strings, but all the ‘clean up on aisle 3’ from Jayden Daniels from this moment on will not be enough. He has made a terrible mistake. He can be successful in Washington. I hope he is. But I would advise him to never waste another second in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, because they are done with him.”
Daniels, meanwhile, posted his own statement to Instagram amid the controversy.
“I have been locked in on training camp, and that’s been my number one focus,” Daniels wrote. “I have a lot of gratitude for my time at LSU, and I’m proud of what my teammates and I accomplished there.
“Obviously, there are issues to be worked out between my team and LSU, and my hope is that it will get done privately. My sole personal focus is on Commanders football. I realize the business of football is unique, and I trust this can be resolved.”
