Washington pokes fun at ‘Wolverine State’ before big game

In a not-so-subtle tweet, it was pointed out that Michigan does not have wolverines living in the wild.

Hours before Monday’s CFP National Championship game between the Washington Huskies and Michigan Wolverines, some trash talking focused on nicknames.

“Good morning from the only state playing football today that actually has wolverines,” the Washington State Department of Natural Resources ribbed on X.

Despite the University of Michigan’s nickname, the state does not have an established wolverine population. The last known sighting of a wild wolverine in Michigan occurred in 2004. (Origins of Michigan being labeled the Wolverine State date to the 1800s.)

In Washington State, however, wolverines exist throughout the Cascades and in northeastern Washington, although sightings are rare. (Wolverines are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.)

Aside from being elusive, wolverines are mighty critters known to prey on full-grown deer and chase bears and wolves from their territories.

They are the largest terrestrial members of the weasel family, growing to about 40 pounds. Their nicknames include Skunk Bear, Mountain Devil, and Evil Spirit.

The Washington State DNR’s lighthearted insult received the following response from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources:

“What’s more REMOTE, the places wolverines live in Washington State or the Huskies’ chances of winning the football game?”

The Pop-Tarts Bowl expects to resurrect its mascot for more bowl game shenanigans

THE POP-TARTS BOWL MASCOT WILL BE BACK!

You can toast a Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot, but you can’t keep it down for good.

After the roaring success of last week’s Pop-Tarts Bowl, Kellanova chief marketing officer Julie Bowerman hinted to The Wall Street Journal that the beloved Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot will return for another run this December.

“I can pretty convincingly tell you that won’t be the last time that you see our mascot come to life,” Bowerman said in an interview.

From the mascot’s hysterical entrance to becoming an instant meme and being cooked up for the Kansas State Wildcats, the Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot captured the imaginations of everyone online during its wild debut.

Thankfully, it doesn’t sound like the Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot will stay in the toaster for long. We’ll eagerly await its return, and we’ll sure hope the Pop-Tarts Bowl shenanigans will be even wackier next bowl game season.

Rest easy, Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot. We’ll see you soon.

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WATCH: K.C. Wolf gets into the Halloween spirit, scares fans

#Chiefs mascot K.C. Wolf had a ball scaring fans to get in the Halloween spirit.

The Kansas City Chiefs are known for having one of the zaniest mascots in the NFL, and on a week of a highly anticipated international road trip, the team’s beloved canid had some fun scaring fans to celebrate Halloween.

In a video posted to the Chiefs’ official Twitter account, K.C. Wolf can be seen having the time of his life injecting a little spookiness into his surroundings.

While the Halloween holiday may be over, the levity provided by this one-of-a-kind canine is sure to stick with fans for months to come. The patience necessary to execute this outstanding gag is an underrated part of K.C. Wolf’s game, and his googly eyes really hammer home the bizarre nature of any interaction he has with the general public.

Expect the Æðelwulf (noble wolf) to be a fixture of the holiday season as the Chiefs prepare for the most challenging part of their 2023 schedule, starting with their Week 9 matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Germany on Sunday.

Colts mascot Blue pays up on lost bet after Jaguars win

Blue, the Colts mascot, was out in downtown Indianapolis taking his lumps Tuesday after losing a bet.

Indianapolis Colts mascot Blue took his lumps Tuesday, two days after the Jacksonville Jaguars handed his team a 37-20 loss.

On Friday of last week, Blue bet 1010XL radio host Joe Cowart that Indianapolis would beat Jacksonville. If he won, the mascot would do the outro for every one of Cowart’s shows next week, which undoubtedly would’ve been full of Colts love. If the Jaguars won, Blue would wear a sandwich board that reads “Jaxson is the GOAT” and “DUUUVAL.”

Alas, Blue was out in downtown Indianapolis suffering through the shame:

On Sunday, the Jaguars completed a season sweep of Indianapolis and made it nine straight home victories — including one in London — against the Colts.

Jaguars mascot Jaxson de Ville is no stranger to being on the wrong side of bets, though. A decade ago, Jaxson made the ill-advised decision to bet that the Jaguars would beat the Colts in a 2013 matchup. After a 37-3 blowout loss, the Jaguars’ mascot was shot with 40 paintballs.

All things considered, Blue got off easy.

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Chiefs mascot K.C. Wolf broke out his best dance moves at First Fridays

K.C. Wolf practiced his dance moves at First Fridays in Kansas City ahead of the #Chiefs’ regular season kickoff.

The Kansas City Chiefs made an appearance at First Fridays yesterday to mingle with fans ahead of their season opener against the Detroit Lions on September 7.

Though First Fridays is known for its raucous atmosphere in Kansas City’s Crossroads district, nothing could have prepared those in attendance for the dance moves that Chiefs mascot K.C. Wolf broke out when he arrived at the monthly gathering downtown.

The rotund canine could be seen getting down with fans and high-fiving attendees with a gusto usually reserved for touchdown celebrations at Arrowhead Stadium.

K.C. Wolf is one of the Chiefs’ best ambassadors and knows how to liven up any party with his quirky dances and over-the-top antics.

While this gathering in the heart of Kansas City may not have been his natural habitat, the beloved canid is sure to be extra juiced up for the Chiefs’ regular season kickoff next week and may incorporate some of these moves into his act against the Lions.

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Lou Holtz defends Notre Dame mascot

Lou Holtz isn’t having any of it. Are you?

Much was made in the last week about Notre Dame’s nickname and mascot as the leprechaun was named one of the most offensive mascots in college sports by a poll that has since been taken down.

Former Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz has since weighed in and he strongly disagrees with the leprechaun being offensive.

“The students at Notre Dame, when I coached there for 11 years, they’re proud to be a part of the Fighting Irish. The Irish have a great tradition, etc. But why does everybody have to say what you want to do? There’s a lot of things I don’t like that I tolerate. That’s part of life. That’s part of the United States. It’s part of the freedom of speech,” Holtz said.

“But people, they get offended and try to bully and try to shut you up. But I think it’s time for the silent majority to stand up and say no more. This is what we believe and this is what is going to go on. This is our country and this is the way it was founded.” 

-Lou Holtz to Fox News

Holtz has never been afraid to speak his beliefs and this is again no expcetion for the coach that won 100 games at Notre Dame from 1986 to 1996 including the 1988 national championship, the most recent for the Fighting Irish.

Related:

The winningest major college football coaches of all-time

Kyle Hamilton Photo Gallery

WATCH: Commanders use mascot to reveal schedule

The Commanders used Major Tuddy to reveal 2023 schedule.

The next big day on the NFL calendar after the NFL draft is now schedule release day. While some fans don’t care, others do, and teams are following suit to take advantage of those who do care.

The new annual craze is NFL teams using social media creatively to announce the new schedule. One of the best in recent years has been the Denver Broncos, who used legendary quarterback Peyton Manning and the team’s mascot as a part of the schedule release videos. Manning and the Broncos did it again this year.

The Washington Commanders, with their new mascot, Major Tuddy — and head coach Ron Rivera — also got creative with their schedule release.

Check it out:

Damn Good Dawg: Uga X’s historic career in photos

Que, you are a Damn Good Dawg. Enjoy retirement.

Georgia Bulldogs mascot Uga X, also known as ‘Que’ due to his all white figure that resembles a cue ball or a Q-tip, will officially retire as UGA’s most successful mascots ever.

Que began his tenure as Georgia’s mascot in 2015, being formally crowned in a collaring ceremony in Nov. 2015. He was only 2.5 years old then, and nobody knew that the young pup was about to change Georgia football forever.

Que’s first full season as the official mascot was in 2016, which was also Kirby Smart’s first season in Athens. Together, the two of them reached unbelievable heights, including back-to-back College Football Playoff National Championships, two SEC titles and victories in the Rose, Sugar, Orange and Peach bowls. Que leaves Georgia with an impressive 91-18 record.

Uga XI is now ready to takeover the hearts of the DawgNation. Also known as ‘Boom,’ the 10-month-old English Bulldog will be introduced as Uga XI during pregame ceremonies shortly before Georgia’s spring game this Saturday at 4 p.m. ET.

Here are our favorite photos of Uga X over the last few seasons.

Broncos share funny fake uniform on April Fools’ Day, tease alternate helmet

The Broncos shared a fake new uniform concept (April Fools!) and then teased the very real possibility of new alternate helmets for 2023 👀

The Denver Broncos know their fans are eagerly awaiting updates on the possibility of the team getting new uniforms, and they tapped into that anticipation with a spoof video on April Fools’ Day.

The Broncos shared a video on their official Twitter page on Saturday (April 1) showing a uniform concept “designed” by Miles, their mascot.

“It’s your uniform … but worse,” a voice says in the background. The design featured a tail, Crocs instead of cleats and mismatched socks.

“It’s a no for more,” another voice tells the mascot.

Miles did not take the rejection well, kicking a trash can on his way out:

At the end of the video, the Broncos did reward fans who stuck around with some based-in-reality nuggets.

“Good things take time,” team president Damani Leech says before a staffer chimes in to add, “Wait, but Damani, what about the alternate helmets?” The video then cuts off abruptly.

It’s a clever move from the team because fans in Denver will be left wondering if the alternate helmets are also part of the April Fool’s bit. There’s good news on that front — alternate helmets are expected to debut this fall. Well done, Broncos. Well done.

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Luka Dončić traded trick shots with 76ers mascot Franklin the Dog, and it was so cool

Luka Dončić wasn’t about to let 76ers mascot Franklin the Dog show him up.

Dallas Mavericks superstar guard Luka Dončić wasn’t about to let a mascot show him up during NBA All-Star Weekend 2023.

As Philadelphia 76ers mascot Franklin the Dog tried to flex his shooting skills with a backwards half-court shot that swooshed through the hoop.

Well, Dončić wasn’t about to let the mascot dog steal the show, not if he could help it. The Mavs star turned around and hit the exact same shot, establishing further human dominance over the mascot kingdom.

Cleveland Cavaliers center Robin Lopez, a fierce enemy of all mascots near and far, would have to approve of Dončić’s clapback bucket.

While we do know that Dončić does love Dallas Mavericks mascot Champ the horse, he must not have wanted Franklin the Dog to show up his fellow NBA players like that.

Franklin the Dog can certainly shoot, however. Maybe the NBA will get him some playing time in next year’s NBA All-Star Game.

Perhaps the league will finally give us what we really want all along: a basketball game with NBA players going against NBA mascots.

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