Texas Longhorns Mascot Charges Georgia’s Bulldog Causing Chaos

Texas Longhorns Mascot Charges Georgia’s Bulldog Causing Chaos
Georgia mascot Uga (L) during the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta, Ga., on Dec. 1, 2018. (Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) and Texas Longhorns mascot Bevo at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 8, 2018. (Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Tiffany Meier
1/4/2019
Updated:
1/4/2019

Tensions rose at the first Sugar Bowl game of the year after live mascots from the Texas Longhorns and Georgia Bulldogs faced off. In a tense pregame meeting, Texas steer mascot Bevo XV aggressively charged down Georgia canine mascot Uga X who responded by retreating back into his territory.

Handlers for the mascots had tried to position them for a photo opportunity but Bevo rapidly moved towards Uga, sporting a bright red Georgia sweater, knocking down metal barriers and creating a moment of panic.

“We were trying to turn him around to take a picture, and he made a run for it,” Patrick McDowell, one of Bevo’s handlers told ESPN. “He was just going to say hi.”

Whether or not Bevo was just trying to “say hi,” the incident caused a flurry as photographers made a run for it, with some almost being trampled. There were no reported injuries.

The incident occurred about an hour before kickoff.

As soon as the chaos began, Dowell and the rest of Bevo’s handlers quickly corralled the 1,600-pound steer and secured him. Once the situation calmed down, the photo opportunity went smoothly with Bevo staying in his original position, facing the stands according to ESPN.

“He’s as docile as a lamb,” said John Baker, owner of Sunrise Ranch, where Bevo was bred. “That’s the first time he’s done that this year.”

Bevo, who turns 4 this month, is in his third season with Texas according to Baker. “He’s a healthy and happy Bevo,” he said.

Meanwhile, 62-pound English bulldog Uga, 5, emerged unscathed. Mascot handler Charles Seiler said Uga was not too afraid of Bevo as he has spent time on a cotton farm with three other steers.

“I had him turned around,” he said. “He heard [Bevo] and he didn’t wait. He ran and I ran.”

The bulldog took timely precaution. He’s in his fourth year with the Georgia team, his owner said.

Media reports described the scuffle as a lively way to start the match, the first between the two teams since the 1984 Cotton Bowl, according to Sports Day.
The scuffle was caught on video and quickly went viral on social media. Some fans believe it foreshadowed results of the match, with Texas beating Georgia 28 to 21.

Issues of Concern

While many found it amusing, some did not. One animal welfare organization denounced the incident.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the world’s largest animal rights organization, with more than 6.5 million members and supporters, pleaded on Dec. 2 for both universities of Texas and Georgia to stop using live mascots at future games.

According to their website, PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: in labs, the food industry, clothing trade, and the entertainment industry.

“It’s indefensible to subject animals to the stress of being packed up, carted from state to state, and paraded in front of a stadium full of screaming fans,” PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange said in a written statement. “It’s no surprise that a skittish steer would react to a perceived threat by charging, and PETA is calling on the University of Texas and the University of Georgia to learn from this dangerous incident, retire their live-animal mascots, and stick to the talented consumed mascots who can lead cheers, react to the crowd, and pump up the team.”

No university representatives commented on PETA’s request but media reports speculate Bevo and Uga will not be leaving anytime soon, according to Sports Day.

The first Bevo appeared on a Texas sideline back in 1916 and the first Uga came in 1956. Prior to the 2016 season, the 15th Bevo joined and the 10th Uga arrived in 2015.

From NTD.com