By GLENN GUILBEAU, Tiger Rag Editor
One of the best things about the NCAA Transfer Portal – though it is likely most athletes do not see it this way – is that it offers the opportunity for players to view their travels as gap years of exploration. Instead of just finding the new school that pays the most, which is probably the road more traveled.
LSU senior safety Ty Benefield is only on his second college, having played his first three seasons at Boise State in mostly White Boise, Idaho. But the Canadian grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia, in Canada, also with a smallish Black population. His father, Daved Benefield, is from Los Angeles and played linebacker at Cal State Northridge and then for several teams in the Canadian Football League in a 13-year pro career, including the BC Lions in Vancouver. His mother, A.J. Benefield, is Canadian and a retired sergeant and investigator for the Vancouver Police.
After his family moved to California in 2020 because of COVID’s impact on Canada, Benefield went to high school just 15 miles from downtown Los Angeles in Altadena, California, at Crean Lutheran High.
“Being in California, I got used to the Black culture,” he said. “And having this big Black culture world out here (in Baton Rouge) is just great.”
Benefield also knows about the French-Canadian influence (Cajuns) in Louisiana.
“Growing up in Canada, I see a lot of ties here,” he said on Monday during player interviews. “There are a lot of French-Canadians and French (heritage) in New Orleans. Louisiana’s pretty cool.”
He likes the mix of everything he has seen so far in South Louisiana.
“Honestly, just the hospitality and the people here – it’s amazing,” he said. “The fans are unbelievable.”
Benefield experienced some home cooking, so to speak, when he said he recently got into a disagreement on TikTok.
“I’ve never been defended in a comment section before on TikTok,” he said. “That was the first time, so I was just like, ‘Great. This is awesome. I love these people.’ Everything’s been really good. I’m right where I need to be, and I love it.”
Asked what the disagreement was about on TikTok, Benefield said only that he needs to stay away from negative comments on TikTok and other social media.
“I like posting positve things,” he said. “And really I need to tak my own advice sometimes, and that’s what a lot of people struggle with. Unfortunately, there are a lot of naysayers, and it is what it is. I love the fans. They defended me. So, love ’em. In this world, there’s so much negativity that’s been focused on.”
He said he would rather play his part “as a leader for this team and also for young kids.”
While not on social media, Benefield is preparing for the No. 13 Tigers’ season opener against No. 23 Clemson on September 5 in Tiger Stadium (6:30 p.m., ABC).
“I try not to look too forward,” he said. “I like to be where my feet are. But I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t have dreams about games in Death Valley. All I hear is talk about it from the guys. I just can’t wait to play in that stadium, and I know it’s probably going to be the best place I’ve ever played at. So, I’m really excited.”
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