Bourgeois shares passion for LSU football program, life

Todd Bourgeois sits on a chair at his dining room table and gingerly strokes the carbon-fiber plate under the left side of his shaven scalp.

The dense covering was implanted more than 10 years ago after an oilfield explosion fired a chunk of steel at his cranium, shattering his frontal lobe. It serves as a perpetual reminder of a harrowing accident that left the 36-year-old Houma native in a coma for a month and nearly killed him.

“This plate is supposedly stronger than steel,” Bourgeois says.

Nonetheless, it’s mere tissue paper compared to the strength of his unwavering support for the LSU football team.

Bourgeois continues to steadily recover from a debilitating injury that left him in permanent need of medical care. But ironically enough, it’s a place dubbed Death Valley that ultimately gives him renewed life.

“I’ve been a (LSU) season ticket-holder for 10 years, but I’ve been a fan of the Tigers my entire life,” Bourgeois beamed. “Saturday nights at the game – there’s nothing like it. I can’t sleep the night before the season opener.”

Too bad the euphoria is fleeting.

The Tigers only play five to six home games a year, and Bourgeois has to wait many months for the next one to commence. It’s torture.

Perhaps that explains why Bourgeois brings Tiger Mania to his home.

A cursory glance around his digs reveals his fervent passion for LSU.

Autographed photos, helmets, game balls and an authentic Ali Highsmith game jersey (worn during the Tigers’ win over Tulane) festoon an area of Bourgeois’ home he calls “the LSU room.”

LSU doormats, flags, dartboards, golf bags and shower curtains can also be found throughout his residence. The bottom of his swimming pool is even decorated with the school’s insignia.

“Todd is definitely the biggest LSU fan that I know,” joked Scott Daigle, a nurse and close friend who provides care for Bourgeois and accompanies him to games. “And I’ve known him for over 10 years.”

Bourgeois takes his own medication for seizures – an unfortunate result of the accident. But Daigle remembers the weeks following his coma when Bourgeois struggled with everyday tasks.

Fortunately, it didn’t take long.

“He (Todd) had to learn how to walk, talk and do everything all over again, but he has been doing everything himself for a long time,” Daigle explained.

Added Bourgeois, “I went from wearing diapers to being self-sufficient in about two months.”

These days, nurses that visit Bourgeois are essentially providing additional support for one of the Tigers most ardent supporters.

And that job is especially crucial now that LSU is playing for the BCS National Championship.

“I watched the Mizzou-Oklahoma game and the West Virginia-Pitt game, and I was really happy with what Oklahoma and Pitt did,” said Bourgeois in reference to wins that helped the Tigers get an invite to the Jan. 7 game at the Superdome. “I was very excited and happy for LSU.”

Houma native Todd Bourgeois, a die-hard supporter of the LSU football team, shows off Tigers memorabilia in “the LSU room” of his home. (Photo by CHRIS SCARNATI

• Tri-Parish Times)