College football rivalries in the South are usually just about bragging rights, tailgate spreads, and maybe some light-hearted trash talk. But every once in a while, things go sideways. It's been over a decade, yet people still talk about the night an Alabama fan teabags LSU fan in the middle of a crowded fast-food joint.
It wasn't just a "prank." It became a legal nightmare that landed a man in prison and sparked a national conversation about where the line is between fan passion and criminal behavior.
The Night Everything Changed at Krystal
January 9, 2012. New Orleans was buzzing. The BCS National Championship game had just wrapped up, and the Alabama Crimson Tide had absolutely stifled the LSU Tigers with a 21-0 shutout. Bourbon Street was a sea of red and purple, though the red was definitely louder that night.
While the Tide celebrated their 14th national title, a 33-year-old Alabama fan named Brian Downing walked into the Krystal Burger on Bourbon Street. Inside, the scene was chaotic.
Among the crowd was an LSU fan, later identified as a 21-year-old student, who was completely out of it. He was passed out at a table, head down, totally oblivious to the world. Honestly, it's a scene you see in New Orleans after a big game more often than you’d think.
But what happened next was far from normal.
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While other fans laughed and took photos—some even piling food cartons on the unconscious man—Downing decided to take it a step further. He unzipped his pants and performed a simulated sexual act, "teabagging" the sleeping fan while someone filmed the whole thing on a cell phone.
The video hit the internet. Then, it exploded.
When the Internet Doesn't Forget
You know how things go viral nowadays, but back in 2012, this was a massive story. The footage wasn't just on sports blogs; it was on the local news, national broadcasts, and every message board from Tuscaloosa to Baton Rouge.
The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) didn't find it funny at all. Their Sex Crimes Unit opened an investigation. Initially, they needed the victim to come forward, but the video was so graphic and the public outcry so loud that they issued an APB for the "person of interest."
Brian Downing eventually turned himself in.
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It turns out Downing was a married father and worked for Hibbett Sports. Or, he had worked there. Once the company realized he was the guy in the video, they fired him immediately.
The Legal Fallout
Downing was originally booked on counts of sexual battery and obscenity. In Louisiana, sexual battery is a heavy charge. We’re talking potential years—sometimes even decades—at hard labor.
His lawyers tried to argue it was a drunken mistake, a joke gone wrong in the heat of a rivalry. But Judge Karen Herman wasn't having it. During the proceedings, she called him a bully. She noted that he had "put aside someone's dignity" and that the victim never had the chance to say no.
In the end, Downing struck a plea deal.
- He pleaded guilty to two counts of obscenity.
- The sexual battery charge was dropped.
- He was sentenced to two years in prison.
Because of the deal, he didn't have to register as a sex offender, which was a huge "win" for his legal team, but he still had to serve time. He ended up serving about nine months of that sentence.
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Why Alabama Fan Teabags LSU Fan Still Matters Today
This incident wasn't just a weird blip in sports history. It changed how we look at "fan behavior." It basically set a precedent that being drunk and at a game isn't a "get out of jail free" card for assault.
The victim's life was turned upside down, too. He ended up suing Downing in civil court. His lawyers claimed he suffered from extreme mental anguish and embarrassment. He actually had to withdraw from school because the video was everywhere. It’s hard to sit in a 200-person lecture hall when everyone has seen a video of you being violated while you were unconscious.
The Rivalry Factor
Alabama and LSU have one of the most intense relationships in the SEC. It’s a border war. It’s Nick Saban’s old school vs. his dynasty. But this event pushed the rivalry into a dark place.
Even today, in 2026, you’ll still see references to "Krystal Burger" or "The Teabagger" on social media whenever these two teams meet. It’s a stain on the rivalry that neither side really likes to acknowledge, but nobody can quite forget.
Actionable Insights for Fans
Look, we all love a good game. We all love to win. But there are real-world consequences when "trash talk" turns into physical contact.
- Know the Law: In many states, including Louisiana, "pranks" involving sexual organs are classified as sexual battery or obscenity. These carry prison time and life-long labels.
- The "Internet is Forever" Rule: If you wouldn't want your boss, your mom, or a judge to see it, don't do it. Everything is recorded now.
- Watch Your Friends: If you see a fellow fan taking things too far with an opposing fan—especially one who is incapacitated—step in. A simple "hey man, let’s go" could have saved Brian Downing from a prison cell and the victim from years of trauma.
- Respect the Victim's Dignity: Rivalry ends when the whistle blows. What happens in the stands or the restaurants afterward is just life. Treat people like humans, even if they're wearing the "wrong" colors.
The story of how an Alabama fan teabags LSU fan serves as the ultimate cautionary tale. It's a reminder that a single minute of "funny" can lead to a lifetime of regret, legal fees, and a permanent digital footprint that no amount of wins can ever wash away.