LSU Fraternity Faces Heat For Crass Michael Sam Banner

The Louisiana State University chapter of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity have apologized for hanging a game-day banner on last week, making a crude reference to former SEC co-defensive player of the year, Michael Sam.

"Though satire is sometimes the goal, crossing the line and causing offense to others is never the intent," the fraternity wrote in an open apology addressed to LSU President and Chancellor F. King Alexander, The Times-Picayune reports. "We truly apologize to you and all other members of the LSU community who have had to deal with the effects of this banner."

Sam played for the University of Missouri, which hosted Sam Houston State last week. Prior to kickoff, the fraternity hung a banner reading, "Michael isn't the only Sam Getting the D Tonight."

LSU Media Relations Director Ernie Ballard said last Sunday that LSU "doesn't condone such hurtful actions," referring to the banner as "offensive." He also claims the university requested DKE remove the banner on Saturday.

This is not the first time this particular fraternity has come under fire for their pregame signage. DKE has hung similarly tactless banners mocking the Syrian government's use of chemical weapons against civilians, the mass shooting at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado in 2012, and the infamous Kent State massacre, among other sensitive topics.

Elaine Maccio, an LSU associate professor in the school of social work whose studies focus on LGBT issues, referred to the sign as "patently offensive."

"What we don't need is one more message that says [members of the LGBT community are] the butt of a joke," she said.

There has been no formal apology as of yet from the fraternity chapter.