It’s been confirmed by officials that the man who died of a heart attack at the LSU-Ole Miss football game on Saturday night had a history of heart issues. The LSU Sports Information Department released a statement regarding the incident. Brian Tingley, 59 years old, had a heart attack during the fourth quarter of the game.
An emergency medical team tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate Mr. Tingley while in the stands. He was sitting in the lower portion of the south end zone when the incident occurred. The Saturday night game at Tiger Stadium reached a record-tying attendance of over 102,000 fans.
A report by Baton Rouge’s Advocate stated, “An Acadian Ambulance spokesman confirmed that its crews responded to ‘a medical call’ in the stands at the stadium at 10 p.m., shortly after the game’s end. He said crews were unsuccessful in efforts to revive him and that a physician on the scene pronounced the man dead.”
No. 24 LSU shocked No. 3 Mississippi in the final seconds of the game. Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace threw an interception, picked off by safety Ronald Martin, with only 2 seconds left in regulation. The pick gave LSU a 10-7 upset victory.
The interception probably should not have even happened. Ole Miss was lining up for a game-tying field goal from 42 yards out. However, after they were called for delay game, LSU coach Les Milles called a timeout. Ole Miss then opted not to kick the field goal and instead ran a play. The decision resulted in Wallace’s first interception in a Southeastern Conference game this season.
It is believed that Mr. Tingley died at the end of the game while celebrating the interception and LSU victory. Director Michael Bonnette said the incident was unrelated to excited fans rushing the field to celebrate the LSU win.