WBRZ - Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE- LSU will be more agnostic when it chooses pictures used to promote LSU athletics after a decision to digitally erase crosses painted on fans at an LSU football game drew controversy.

"It was just a straight sports communications message," said Herb Vincent of LSU, "no politics involved, no religion."

Recently, a group of young men- iconic Tiger fans known as the "Painted Posse"- were photographed cheering on the Tigers at Tiger Stadium. They were painted in LSU colors, and had a small cross painted in a contrasting color on their chest.

LSU used the picture, but removed the cross before sending it out in an email to LSU fans.

"I think that editing it and airbrushing it, I think is controversial and I don't think it's right," said Blair Brown. Brown is an LSU student and knows members of the "Painted Posse."

But, other students agree with LSU's decision to make some changes before finalizing the graphic.

"Crosses might offend some other people... They would feel that football is not religious," said student Kahirah Patterson.

Now, LSU will use pictures that don't need to have religious icons erased.