Dubbed “NFLSU,” the LSU Tigers football program continues to churn out elite pro talent on an annual basis. A total of 62 ex-Tigers were in the NFL at the beginning of last season, 40 of whom were on active rosters. Although one first-rounder from the 2020 Draft class and a national hero from that most stacked CFB squad of Joe Burrow and Justin Jefferson remain grabbing headlines for both the right and wrong reasons.

The former Tiger was the centerpiece of his hometown. STEM Magnet Academy has officially named its football stadium after Livonia and LSU great, now Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, Patrick Queen. Today’s unveiling of “Patrick Queen Stadium” was more than a ceremony. It was a reminder of how a small-town athlete grew into a national champion, a first-round pick, and a two-time Pro Bowler. His old LSU head coach, Ed Orgeron, showed up to celebrate him, as did many others. Jacques Doucet reported that ex-teammate Joe Burrow wasn’t there but must’ve sent a message to Queen, who played 40 games with LSU and had 131 total tackles, 59 solos, and 4 sacks from 2017 to 19.

His breakout moment came on the biggest stage: the 2020 National Championship against Clemson. Patrick Queen delivered eight tackles, 2.5 for loss, and a shared sack in a performance that earned him Defensive MVP honors. And it carried with it an unforgettable scene: Joe Burrow ducking out mid-press conference to light his victory cigar, while Coach O chuckled, “take it easy on that cigar.” Sitting right next to Burrow was Queen, who laughed, followed his quarterback out, and etched himself into LSU’s folklore in the process.

The reason for this long-overdue honor was that, before LSU, Queen was the beating heart of Livonia High School football. He starred both ways, proving himself as an LB and an RB. As a senior in 2016, he rushed for 1,487 yards and 19 touchdowns while piling up 66 tackles and seven for loss on defense. Two years earlier, he helped lead Livonia to a state championship. Those memories now live forever at the place where it all began, with the golden plaque at the new “Patrick Queen Stadium” reading: “Dedicated to excellence on & off the field.”

The timing of the recognition only underscores Queen’s trajectory. In a year where nine LSU Tigers landed on the NFL Top 100 list, Queen’s name sat at No. 75, while his former quarterback, Burrow, ranked No. 6. The symmetry speaks for itself. From sharing cigars to sharing top-100 honors, their careers have stayed intertwined.

For LSU fans, Queen is another testament to why the school has earned the “NFLSU” moniker. For Livonia, he’s a hometown son turned national star. And for the Steelers, he’s an LB who keeps proving why he belongs in every conversation of greatness and paying hefty fines as well.

Patrick Queen, a fined LSU champ

A rough Sunday got even rougher for Patrick Queen. Steelers LB, fresh off his LSU glory days and now a centerpiece of their defense, walked out of Week 2’s loss to the Seahawks not only banged up but also lighter in the wallet. The NFL slapped Queen with a $17,389 fine (tied for the third-largest handed out last week) for a high hit on Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold.

The play came early, in the first quarter, when Queen connected up high in the face and neck area just as Darnold let the ball fly. To add insult to injury, Darnold completed the pass to rookie Tory Horton, who took it in for six. Suddenly, Seattle was up 7–0, and Queen’s afternoon had taken a costly turn.