LSU's live tiger mascot died Tuesday after months of treatment for a rare form of cancer.
Mike VI was euthanized in its "night house" on the Baton Rouge campus by Dr. David Baker of the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, the school said in a statement.
The announcement triggered a wave of online tributes for the 11-year-old tiger, which LSU has said was one of only two live tiger college mascots in the U.S. and the only one living on a college campus.
"Rest in peace, MikeTigerVI," Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said in a Twitter post. "Thanks for the memories and all the joy you brought to the #LSU family."
LSU said there won't be a formal memorial service for Mike VI, but the school encouraged fans to share their "memories, stories and photos" of the mascot on social media.
Mike VI was diagnosed in May with a rare and inoperable form of cancer. At the time, veterinarians said treating its spindle cell sarcoma with radiation therapy could extend the tiger's life by one or two more years.
However, Baker announced last week that a CT scan and physical exam showed a tumor in the tiger's skull had grown and the cancer had spread to other parts of its body.
The 420-pound tiger was 2 years old when it arrived at LSU in 2007, donated by an Indiana animal sanctuary. It lived in a 15,000-square-foot enclosure and yard next to Tiger Stadium.
Last month, LSU announced that Mike VI wouldn't take the field during home football games this season and instead would remain in its campus habitat.
Add Mike
If any school understands how the loss of a mascot can affect its community, it's the University of Texas.
When LSU announced that Mike the Tiger was terminally ill with cancer, Bevo XV and the Texas Silver Spurs sent Mike an LSU-themed flower arrangement with a sweet note.
The note reads: "Mike And All The Many People Who Loved Him, Remain In Our Thoughts And Prayers, BevoXV And The University Of Texas Silver Spurs."
A thank you note was posted on Twitter with the hashtag #MascotsStickTogether.
A year ago, Bevo XIV died of cancer.
No Fun League
The NFL's crackdown on celebrations isn't going over well with players, and Cleveland Browns receiver Andrew Hawkins found a way Sunday to have a little fun with the rules while still tweaking them. Hawkins scored against New England, simply placed the ball on the sideline and walked away, robot-style. No emotion whatsoever.
Hawkins confirmed Monday that his intent was indeed to poke fun at the NFL: "I was glad everyone on the internet interpreted it the right way," he said, "because I wasn't sure if they were going to get the joke.
"Everything you do gets fined nowadays, right?" Me seeing the tape of what not to do -- and I get it, rules are rules -- but I thought it would be funny to do that and troll the whole situation, so that's what I did."
Hawkins didn't say whether he had a follow-up celebration planned, correctly noting it's tough enough to get into the end zone in the first place.
Sports quiz
How many Arkansas high schools (members of the Arkansas Activities Association) use Tigers as a mascot?
Sports answer
16 -- Little Rock Central, Bentonville, Prairie Grove, West Fork, Green Forest, Valley Springs, Charleston, Mansfield, Lead Hill, Maynard, Pangburn, Timbo, Brinkley, Armorel, Acorn and Taylor.
Sports on 10/12/2016