Meet Duke football’s 'Bayou Blue Devil': A Louisiana twist on tailgating

A blue flag representing Louisiana hangs from a blue tent at the Duke football tailgate, adorned with a fleur-de-lis marking the northeastern corner of the state. Jambalaya, Mardi Gras beads, and Hurricanes are among the celebratory items offered. Duke Blue Zone Collective Tailgate member Ben Thomason, a Duke MBA alumnus and Bastrop, Louisiana native, explains that tailgating extends beyond football.

In 2023, he brought a piece of home to the Duke parking lot, now known as Bayou Blue Devil. Thomason's goal is to infuse the Duke tailgate scene with Louisiana hospitality. His hometown of Bastrop, roughly 160 miles north of Baton Rouge, once held LSU football in high regard, just as Thomason hopes Duke's experience mirrors that.

The group, including members Rocket Man and the Boo Crew, collaborates to provide food, beverages, and entertainment. Each week, a Grand Guest is named, representing Duke or Duke football. Willie Sheppard, father of Duke running back Nate Sheppard, is this week's Grand Guest, hailing from Louisiana like Thomason. Thomason's vision extends beyond football, incorporating Bayou Blue Devil into Duke baseball and men's and women's basketball. He embodies the Louisiana spirit, encapsulated by the phrase "Laissez les bons temps rouler."