Mississippi State's pirate flag helmet was the perfect tribute to Mike Leach
Mike Leach never got to see his No. 22 ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs take on the Illinois Fighting Illini in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
The college coaching legend tragically passed away on Dec. 12 after suffering complications from a heart condition.
Leach was a well-known and well-liked coach who had notable stops at Texas Tech and Washington State before landing at Mississippi State, and though many paid tribute to the late head coach in the games played between his passing and the ReliaQuest bowl, perhaps no tributes were as fitting as the one the Bulldogs wore on their helmets against Illinois.
It was also fitting that the ReliaQuest bowl was played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa — home of the Buccaneers.
Raymond James features a life-sized pirate ship that shoots "cannon balls" whenever the home team scores a touchdown.
Leach famously liked pirates and used a pirate metaphor to inspire his Texas Tech, a theme that caught on in Lubbock.
He liked pirates so much, in fact, that he had a life-sized talking pirate skeleton in his office at Washington State.
Leach's Bulldogs, led by defensive coordinator turned new head coach Zach Arnett, beat the Illini 19-10. Mississippi State finished the season 9-4.
More must-reads: