A mascot represents a group that holds a common identity, it is the school’s beating heart, a beacon of representation as a whole to the outside world. That’s why so many schools and their students are filled with pride and joy whenever their mascot steps out onto the pitch, field, court, whatever surface, they are there. But what do you do when your school mascot is less than extraordinary and is just downright laughable? We focused on these 14 college football mascots that are a tad silly. Just take a look and you’ll see what we mean.
Goldy Gopher – Minnesota
The gold and maroon colors of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities are worn by all its respective sports teams including the buck teeth, huge eyes of a mascot. I would happily send this cutie patootie holiday gift baskets any day!
Goldy Gopher – Minnesota
Purdue Pete – Purdue
Way back when, Purdue Pete used to sit upon an un-costumed body and then someone had a bright idea to make some changes. Now Purdue Pete looks stiff and unemotional. How is the crowd supposed to rally when you can’t tell if your mascot is happy or sad?
Purdue Pete – Purdue
Oski – University of California, Berkeley
Up until 1941, Berkeley actually used live bears as their mascots, can you say cray cray? From 1946 until April 2016, Oski the bear was the mascot of Berkeley however now it seems that there is something new in the works. In fact, “Cal Athletics announced that its sports teams will no longer be known as the Bears and Oski will no longer be the mascot.” Say what now? Turns out that they will now be known as Perwinkle and Oski is being replaced by a brand new mascot…..a bowl of blue Jell-O. **This is not a joke, repeat, this is not a joke.**
Oski University Of California, Berkeley
The Purple Cow – D3 Williams
Lo and behold, an oddball from the Division III tier, are you really so surprised? Everyone, please meet the Purple Cow. No, we are not pulling your leg, this is serious and very real. You see, back in 2007, Lee Corso who is a well-known sports broadcaster and football analyst, was once this mascot and ESPN had a “College Game Day” in which the Purple Cow made its presence known. The mascot even appeared in an ESPN commercial, don’t ask us why, it just did. Check out the video on your new smartphone and you’ll see what we mean.
The Purple Cow – D3 Williams
Sam the Minuteman – Massachusetts
Sports teams in Massachusetts are no joke. We have the Patriots, Bruins, Red Sox, and the Celtics, all of whom have awesome mascots but it’s the University of Massachusetts Amherst mascot that is most intriguing, his name is Sam the Minuteman. While we understand the roots of which he came to life, we still think he looks too much like a crooked politician.
Sam The Minuteman – Massachusetts
Rocky – Toledo
Ever since the 70s, Toledo’s mascot has undergone many transformations, maybe more changes than some Hollywood stars and their addiction to cosmetic surgery. In fact, in 2011 the mascot had a bit of a gender reassignment surgery as the first female Rocky became introduced.
Rocky – Toledo
Gaylord – FCS Campbell
Why, yes, the Campbell Fighting Camels football team’s mascot is indeed a camel. How that makes sense in terms of football is beyond us as camels spit, bite, and they smell. Okay so maybe it’s not so far past the line but still, a camel? Although he is a tad bit cute, I’m going to take a selfie with him with my new cell phone right now.
Gaylord – FCS Campbell
The Fighting Okra – D2 Delta State
This is probably my favorite mascot of them all because it is pretty ridiculous. If you follow college football at all then you know that Division II football has some weirdo mascots. However the students over at Delta State adore their mascot and are not ashamed whatsoever. More power to yah, I guess.
The Fighting Okra – D2 Delta State
Big Red – Western Kentucky University
Go, Big Red! And not the gum brand but instead the mascot of Western Kentucky University. The university’s sports team nickname is the “Hilltoppers,” so where they got “Big Red” from is beyond us.
Big Red – Western Kentucky University
Pistol Pete – Oklahoma State
What could be creepier than a mascot wearing traditional cowboy clothes and an actual headpiece that looks just like Frank Eaton? Oh, that’s right, there is nothing creepier than that. Oklahoma State University’s mascot may have been inspired by Frank Eaton but did they really have to print off a giant, plastic headpiece that’s the size of Texas?
Pistol Pete – Oklahoma State
Otto – Syracuse
The Syracuse University mascot is that of an anthropomorphic orange, which sounds cute until you hear that it’s wearing blue pants and a massive blue hat to boot. Why we don’t know. What we do know that long before Otto, there was a Roman gladiator and “The Saltine Warrior.” Then in 1995, Otto became the official mascot it looks pretty serious. I think he might just make it.
Otto – Syracuse
Cayenne – University of Louisiana
We are not talking about mild peppers, we’re talking about a cayenne pepper and we don’t mean the actual pepper but rather the University of Louisiana mascot. Yes, that’s right, their mascot is a pepper. The school didn’t want to be boring and drab, instead, they went for something unconventional. As it turns out, Cayenne is the embodiment of the Ragin’ Cajun spirit of Acadiana. Whatever that means.
Cayenne – University Of Louisiana
Peruna – Southern Methodist
Imagine our shock when we learned that Southern Methodist’s “Mustang” named Peruna is not handsome nor is it strong nor is it faster than a lightning bolt not is it majestic in any sense of the word. Peruna is actually a pony. How can a Mustang be a pony? What is this travesty?
Peruna – Southern Methodist
The Tree – Stanford
Stanford University is a leading private research university that is on most student’s dream school to attend. So while the school’s team name is that of the “Cardinal”, representing the color red, the school’s band went in another direction with the unofficial mascot of the Stanford Tree. It’s not that surprising that it often ranks as the most controversial and bizarre college mascot, plus it’s often considered the “worst mascot” out there. Harsh.
The Tree – Stanford
