Mascots have long been a vital and well-loved aspect of sports culture. These energetic and colorful characters bring a sense of excitement and fun to games and events, often becoming beloved figures in their own right. However, not every mascot experience is a joyous one. Tragedies involving mascots have occurred throughout the years, leaving fans and participants shocked and saddened. One particularly devastating case took place on February 9, 2009, during a college basketball game between the University of Mississippi and the University of South Carolina. The Ole Miss Rebel Black Bear, a popular mascot known for his acrobatic stunts, was performing a routine when tragedy struck.

Harmon’s Histories: A tragic tale of live UM bear mascot

Where was I? Oh yes, I was going to tell you about that bear. Well, actually bears (plural).

The Quill and Dagger society (and the whole University of Montana, for that matter) used live bear cubs to promote events in the early days of the school.

U-M’s athletic teams were actually known as the “Bears.”

Of course it’s a bit tough having a bear cub as a mascot. For one thing, bears grow – and are not “cubs” for long.

So, the university was constantly going through bear cubs – having to find a new cub for a mascot every year or two.

Now, “Teddy,” the particular bear cub I mentioned last week, was not only “the likable mascot of the U-M football team,” but played an important part in one of the Quill and Dagger society’s performances at Missoula’s Union opera house.

“Teddy was taught a number of fine tricks and will do a number of good stunts for the edification of the audience,” promised the Quill and Dagger society, in fact, they said, “would be the event of season.”

In addition to “Teddy,” there were cubs named “Fessy” (honoring University of Montana football coach Doug Fessden) and “Jerry” (honoring coach Jerry Williams).

But, using live bear cubs was problematic. They are animals and obviously don’t like being chained. On top of that there were the occasional “kidnappings,” and animal rights protests.

Genell Jackson, writing in the 1956 Montana Kaimin, said, “Jerry came to MSU shortly after school started this fall. Although a female, she was promptly named after the Grizzly coach Jerry Williams!”

“She was a very unhappy and very mean little bear when she first arrived. The early football games must have seemed like the end of the world for her. A far cry from peaceful woods: the noise and pompom girls scared her and it took two heavy chains to hold her.”

“Even then she made several almost successful attempts at freedom. But it wasn’t long before she began to warm up to her captors. She allowed them to pet and rumple her dark fur without snapping. Toward the end of the season, she even seemed to enjoy the football games. Rather than struggle to get lose, she would sit quietly tween the legs of whoever was her “date” for the day.”

“It was only when the music or crowd was especially loud that she would jerk her chain. Once she did get free and scampered across the field and made it up a light pole before 'she was caught.”

“Just what is to become of Jerry hasn’t been decided, but it is quite probable she will be sent East to grow up in a city' zoo.”

“The Grizzly Growlers have been caring for Jerry, and she has moved from the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house to Fort Missoula. But where ever she goes, the best wishes of the Grizzlies and students of MSU will go with the little brown bear.”

Over the years, the “Bears” became the “Grizzlies” or “Silvertips,” and mascots changed with the times. There was the “Hamm's Beer Bear” and later “Otto the Grizzly,” sponsored by the Grizzly Auto Centers.

But, the athletic department, by the 1990s, wanted “a more engaging, friendly and energetic mascot.” The result was “Monte” who was first seen at the start of the 1993 season.

The person inside the bear suit, it was decided, would not be identified until after he/she was no longer a student at U-M. Barry Anderson was one of the high-profile Monte mascots, who went on to work with the Chicago Bulls mascot team.

Anderson was famous for doing acrobatic cartwheels and flips. He would ride motorcycles and horses, and was “always surrounded by cheerleaders.” He was nominated as Capital One's Mascot of the Year a number of times. “Monte” was even in a Super Bowl commercial with Joe Montana!

These days, you see Monte everywhere – corporate functions, business advertising, school classrooms – promoting the U-M brand.

It’s been quite a ride for “Teddy” from the 1890s, doing “tricks and stunts for the edification of the audience,” at Quill and Dagger society events, to today’s all-encompassing role as the campus mascot!

Texas Tech mascot dies during game

Texas Tech's mascot, a black quarterhorse named Double T, died Saturday during the game with New Mexico when it threw its rider, ran across the playing field and slid headfirst into a concrete wall.

The incident happened in the third quarter after Tech scored. Rider Amy Smart, a senior animal science major from Dallas, was guiding the horse on its customary trot around the field when her saddle broke and she fell off. When the galloping horse reached an exit tunnel, its feet flew out and its head hit the wall. University veterinarian Mark Hellman said the horse apparently died instantly.

Hey, that's not my baton: University of Texas band director Glenn Richter was arrested Friday and charged with carrying a gun at Robert Mueller Municipal Airport in Austin while trying to catch a flight to Pittsburgh for the Longhorns' game against Pitt. Richter, who said he didn't know the gun was in the bag, was released on a personal recognizance bond.

Banned, but not gagged: Banned Texas A&M football booster Warren Gilbert Jr., who landed A&M in NCAA trouble by paying nine football players for work they didn't do between 1990 and 1992, said school officials urged him to stonewall the NCAA's investigation into a summer jobs scandal that concluded he improperly paid players, according to a published report.

Gilbert told the Dallas Morning News in a copyright story in today's editions that A&M coach R.C. Slocum, former vice president Robert Smith and others convinced him not to meet with investigators. The Dallas businessman said university officials singled him out to save the football program from sanctions.

New AD: Sunburst Bank president James T. "Pete" Boone was named the University of Mississippi's athletic director, chosen over two Ole Miss graduates in athletic administration.

Quake wake: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum was used for the first time since the stadium was badly damaged by the January earthquake. Fans at Southern Cal's game against Washington found only a few construction trailers and a temporary press box on the grounds as evidence of the $60-million repair job.

Horse opera, part II: "I really don't know what happened. When I rounded the corner and was in the process of slowing, I felt myself sliding off the horse. I hit the ground and then stood up and saw the horse running around the stadium. I got to the tunnel area and saw Double T lying there and couldn't believe it," Smart said.

New team, old quote: "I found out one thing," coach Joe Walton said after Robert Morris' inaugural game. "These kids love to play."

My fault: "It's just a dumb error on my part," Richter said. "It was quite depressing and humiliating for me."

What are we doing here?: "Basically we got the slop beat out of us," Georgia Southern coach Tim Stowers said after a 56-0 loss to Miami. "I'll be happy to get back to I-AA football."

Horse opera, part III: Double T was removed from Jones Stadium within minutes and was taken to a campus facility for further examination. Smart was not seriously injured.

Wheatley watch: Heisman Trophy candidate Tyrone Wheatley watched from the sideline with his separated right shoulder in a sling as Michigan beat Boston College.

Medical miracle: Miami end Rusty Medearis, playing for the first time since a knee injury nearly ended his career two years ago, played most of the first half and made one tackle against Georgia Southern.

Tulsa time: Quarterback Troy DeGar is out for the season after tearing a ligament in his right knee against Missouri. Running back Kenny Gunn, broke his right ankle in the first quarter.

Horse opera, part IV: Double T was in its second year as Texas Tech's mascot.

Coaching debuts: Boston College led No. 5 Michigan 12-0 in Dan Henning's debut as a college coach before the Wolverines rallied to win 34-26. Nicholls State's 16-7 win at Connecticut spoiled the head-coaching debut of UConn's Skip Holtz, son of Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz. Walton, a former head coach for the New York Jets and offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers, won his and Robert Morris' first game, 24-19 over Waynesburg (Pa.). Kent's 28-6 loss to Rutgers spoiled the debut of Jim Corrigall and extended the Golden Flashes' losing streak to 17 games, longest among the nation's 107 Division I-A schools.

Winners and losers: Auburn extended Division I-A's longest win streak to 12 games. Division I-AA Howard has won 14 straight. Texas won only its second opener in eight years. Pitt lost its 10th consecutive home game but its first opener in eight years. Michigan is 95-17-3 in openers. North Carolina won its sixth straight opener.

Put up your Dukes, part I: James Madison's 35-0 win over Buffalo was the Dukes' first shutout since a 21-0 win over Northeastern on Oct.

Horse opera, part V: Texas Tech has had a black horse and a masked rider as a mascot since the Gator Bowl game on Jan. 1, 1954. Many former riders were at the game for a reunion.

56-0 for 58-0: No. 6 Miami routed Georgia Southern to break an NCAA record with its 58th consecutive victory at the Orange Bowl. The Hurricanes surpassed Alabama's 57 wins in a row at home from 1962-82.

Pitt stop: Curtis Martin had 11 carries of 10 or more yards while rushing for 251 yards _ the most by an opposing back since Texas started football in 1893.

Golden boys: Darin Hinshaw passed for 245 yards against Maine to break Central Florida's all-time career passing record. He has 6,766 yards. David Rhodes became the Golden Knights' all-time leading receiver with 2,868 yards.

Put up your Dukes: Robert Baldwin set a Duke rushing record with 238 yards against Maryland.

Mascot tragedy

1. Stanford University: The Tree
How popular is the Stanford Tree? Many people don't even know the school's nickname is actually the Cardinal. Well, that will happen when your mascot makes more headlines in the sports pages than the teams do. In February 2006, the Tree was fired when her breathalizer test came up a 0.157. (FYI: that's nearly twice the legal limit in Cali). That Arbor Day party must have been pretty insane.

2. St. John's University: Thunder and Lightning
Many a New Yorker was less than pleased when the St. John's Redmen, the pride of Queens, changed their name to the Red Storm. There's no word on what they think of the accompanying mascot, Thunder (and his sidekick Lightning). According to the Q&A page for St. John's alumni, Thunder has been "discontinued," while their official athletic Web site speaks proudly of Thunder. It's a tragedy that there hasn't been an episode of "Outside The Lines" on this.

3. The Ohio State University: Brutus the Buckeye
In case you're wondering why Brutus is in this category: a Buckeye is a tree. That's right. So when you see the proud Brutus cheering on Troy Smith and Co., remember, he's glorified foliage. Not only that, but Brutus isn't really the tree, he's only the partially poisonous nut of the Buckeye tree -- not sure if that makes him dangerous. It's probably best to keep your distance.

4. Wichita State University: WuShock
Nothing quite gives the psychological edge to a team like knowing a guy dressed up as a shock of wheat has their back. Still, he still has enough "Children of the Corn" creepy vibe to fear him, but he also looks enough like Kent Brockman's son to balance it out.

5. University of Louisiana at Lafayette: Cayenne
The presence of mascots like Florida State's Seminole seem to say "Come near me, and I will kill you," while Cayenne, the Ragin' Cajuns' chili pepper, seems to say, "Come near me and I swear to God I'm going to give you heartburn and diarrhea." And let's be honest, if you've ever suffered any digestive issues at the hands of Cajun food, you pretty much pray for death anyway.

Photo credits: Getty Images, AP

The Ole Miss Rebel Black Bear, a popular mascot known for his acrobatic stunts, was performing a routine when tragedy struck. During a routine flip, the mascot lost control and landed awkwardly on his head, suffering a severe spinal cord injury. Despite immediate medical attention, the mascot was paralyzed from the neck down.

This incident was a stark reminder of the risks inherent in the performance aspect of mascoting. While mascots often strive to entertain and engage the crowd, their stunts can sometimes put them in harm's way. In the case of the Ole Miss Rebel Black Bear, the acrobatic nature of his routine became his downfall. This tragedy prompted a renewed focus on the safety of mascots and the need for proper training and equipment. Many organizations and schools have since implemented strict guidelines for mascot performances, emphasizing the importance of safety precautions such as proper padding and supervised training. The goal is to minimize the risk of accidents and ensure the well-being of these beloved characters. Despite the emphasis on safety, mascot accidents continue to occur. In 2013, the University of Georgia's beloved bulldog mascot, Uga, passed away due to a sudden cardiac arrest. This event shocked Bulldog fans and reminded everyone of the ephemeral nature of mascots' lives. These tragedies serve as a somber reminder that even in the world of mascoting, there is an inherent risk involved. While the focus on safety has increased, mascots remain an integral part of sports culture. These larger-than-life characters bring joy and excitement to fans, serving as symbols and ambassadors for their teams. The tragedies that befall mascots should not overshadow the positive impact they have on communities and the love they receive from fans. Nevertheless, it is crucial to continue to prioritize safety and ensure that necessary precautions are taken to prevent future mascot tragedies..

Reviews for "Behind the Mask: The Tragic Reality That Mascots Face"

1. Jeremy - 2/5

I found "Mascot Tragedy" to be a disappointing read. The plot felt cliche and predictable, lacking any originality. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect or sympathize with them. Additionally, the pacing was incredibly slow, making it a struggle to keep my interest. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and would not recommend this book.

2. Samantha - 1/5

I had high hopes for "Mascot Tragedy," but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The writing style was dull and lacked any sense of creativity or imagination. The story felt disjointed, with poorly developed subplots that added no value to the main narrative. The dialogue was stilted, and the characters lacked believability. I found myself forcing my way through the book, hoping it would get better, but it never did. I was left feeling frustrated and unsatisfied.

3. Robert - 2/5

"Mascot Tragedy" had an intriguing premise, but the execution was lacking. The story had potential, but it never fully realized it. The pacing was inconsistent, with long periods of stagnation followed by rushed and underdeveloped plot points. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. While there were moments of suspense, they were overshadowed by the overall lackluster writing and character development. I was left feeling disappointed and would not recommend this book to others.

4. Emily - 1/5

I found "Mascot Tragedy" to be a complete waste of time. The plot was entirely predictable, leaving no surprises or twists. The characters were unlikable and poorly developed, making it impossible to care about their fates. The writing style was bland and lacked any depth or emotion. I struggled to stay engaged with the story and ultimately felt no satisfaction or fulfillment upon finishing it. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a captivating and well-written read.

When Mascots Push the Limits: Tragic Consequences Revealed