Bevo, a live Longhorn steer, and Hook ‘Em, a costumed mascot, are the two mascots that represent and are affiliated with the University of Texas at Austin.
The first Bevo was introduced to the fans in 1916. It is common for Bevo to be seen at home games of the Texas Longhorns football team. A spirit group called the Silver Spurs is charged with his care.
The 1970s marked the beginning of the mascot Hook ‘Em. The name’s origin can be traced back to the longhorn’s distinctive horns, typically described as “curved.”
A multifaceted mascot, Hook ‘Em makes appearances at various events, including parades, sporting events, and community gatherings. His role is to represent the organization. His dynamic and captivating demeanor has earned him a lot of notoriety. Throughout his career, Hook’ Em has donned a variety of costumes; however, the one he is sporting right now features a lifelike Longhorn head and body along with a Texas-themed outfit.
At the University of Texas at Austin, both Bevo and Hook ‘Em are held in extremely high regard by Longhorn supporters, who consider them closely associated with the school.
Even though Hook ‘Em is not ranked among the best mascots, that doesn’t mean that he isn’t popular among the Longhorns fanbase. All of the publications that rank mascots consider Bevo to be the main mascot for Texas.
.@HookEm
/ho͝ok em/
proper noun
1. costumed mascot with mad dance skills#CelebrateTexas | #HookEm pic.twitter.com/2YNNZBZJ7C— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) July 30, 2019
NFL.com has Bevo ranked No. 12 among the best 15 college football mascots.
The best mascot in college football 🤘 pic.twitter.com/6IbTsVErHt
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 4, 2023
Bevo is ranked among the top 14 mascots in college, according to 247 Sports.
Down in Austin, they have two mascots. There is Hook ‘em, the full body costume that looks like a Longhorn. And then there is the live Longhorn Bevo, who holds his own cage on the field at Texas games. As they pass on over the years, the actual Bevo changes but the look remains relatively the same. The large horns on his head match the school nickname to the literal definition.
Throwback to Texas’ mascot “Bevo” not rocking with Georgia’s Bulldog 😂😭
— The Players' Lounge (@ThPlayersLounge) April 7, 2023
The Bleacher Report has Bevo ranked No. 13 among the top 50 best mascots in college football.
You can’t say “Texas Longhorns” without mentioning Bevo.
Nothing like trying to keep an animal calm who could do some serious damage with one flick of his neck.
BEVO is the ONLY mascot deserving of a parade. @ us #HookEm🤘 pic.twitter.com/P0w4EzbHzA
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) September 22, 2018
Bevo is ranked No. 4 by SI.com, which is his highest ranking among national publications.
The live longhorn bull Bevo first made an appearance for Texas at a homecoming celebration on Thanksgiving Day 1916. And now, over a century later, Bevo (XV) is still one of the most beloved mascots in the game. Though he has, on occasion, broken free of his on-field pen during games, Bevo usually stands calmly in the endzone, taking part in some players’ touchdown celebrations.
Our very own @HookEm is set to compete at the 2018 College Mascot National Championship this Saturday in Orlando, FL 🤘#HookEm #ThisIsTexas pic.twitter.com/OZLIpgkvN5
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) January 12, 2018
Bevo, the Texas Longhorns’ remarkable mascot, is a real longhorn steer. He has been a shining example of the most commendable features of Texas patriotism and legacy for practically a century. The costumed mascot is Hook ‘Em is well-known for his great mobility and captivating appeal to onlookers. Together, they advocate for everything that makes Texas at Austin so great.