 The Tigers kick off the season September 1st in Las Vegas versus USC. Fitness guru and New Orleans native Richard Simmons passed away on Saturday at 76. Simmons was born in New Orleans in 1948 and was an overweight child, but he became a cultural phenomenon because of his energetic personality displayed in his exercise videos. Tulane Sports Performance Manager Mackie Shillstone says Simmons helped people lose weight for 35 years and there will never be anyone like him again.