Brian Kelly's son Kenzel explains odd 'Free BK' fit at LSU game amid dad's $54M fight

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If you were like us, you had no idea that fired, or not fired, depending on who you believe in the petty dispute the LSU Tigers are waging against former head coach Brian Kelly, that he had a son on the team.
But when it comes to LSU football, the most surreal moment in a completely surreal season happened for Senior Night as Kenzel Kelly, a linebacker on the Tigers, ran out solo for his big introduction.
RELATED: Landry Kiffin flaunts LSU game-day fit selfie as dad Lane tortures Tigers, Ole Miss

After getting some kudos from players like fellow linebacker Whit Weeks, who is dating Ole Miss' Lane Kiffin's daughter Landry, of course the rumored soon-to-be next head coach (Lane, not Landry), Kenzel awkwardly turns to the camera and says, "Free my boy BK."
RELATED: Lane Kiffin’s wife Layla turns heads at son Knox’s playoff win amid $90M LSU drama
Brian Kelly's son running out alone on LSU's Senior Night, turning to the camera & saying, "LONG LIVE BK! FREE MY BOY! FREE MY BOY BK!" like he's in prison instead of getting a $54 million buyout is a Top 5 moment of the 2025 CFB season. 😭 pic.twitter.com/Gt1K8no15j
— College Sports Only (@CSOonX) November 23, 2025
As the tweet above astutely points out, BK is not in prison. His dad is battling LSU and Louisiana governor Jeff Landry for the $54 million buyout that is part of his contract, which the state and administration is fighting tooth and nail, saying that they had never officially fired him.
Kenzel took to X to share his side of the story, writing, "BK wanted to be there for me…Unfortunately the new leadership at LSU did not see it the same way" with a prayer-hands emoji and an awkward #freeBK hashtag, which might only resonate with Kelly's family and close friends.
BK wanted to be there for me…Unfortunately the new leadership at LSU did not see it the same way… 🙏🏽#freeBK https://t.co/jGHp4WP2Op
— Kenzel Kelly (@Kenzel_kelly) November 23, 2025
Kenzel's actions perfectly encapsulate LSU's 2025 season — a lot of bluster with no real pay off. To be fair, as his son, it is only natural that he'd want his dad there, despite what is happening behind the scenes.
Oh yeah, LSU won the game 13-10 against the juggernaut Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

Speaking of Landry, Lane's daughter, not the governor, she was there to support Weeks, who is probably in the most awkward situation of all as the school aggressively pursues Landry's dad, with the latest reports putting the offer at $90 million. Speaking of entertaining, we've written plenty about Landry and her Kiffin family.
Now about that buyout:)

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Matthew Graham has over 20 years of media experience and oversees The Athlete Lifestyle On SI. He has had previous leadership roles at NBC Sports, Yahoo, and USA TODAY, where he co-founded For The Win (named Best Mobile Site by Digiday). He has also written for ESPN, Cosmopolitan, US Weekly, People, E! Online, and FHM, covering major sports and entertainment events like the Oscars, the Golden Globes, NBA Finals, Super Bowl, and winning the Yahoo Superstar Award for coverage of the Olympics.