Ole Miss Football Mascot The Ole Miss football team, representing the University of Mississippi, has a well-known and beloved mascot. The mascot, called Rebel, is a black bear. Rebel has been an integral part of Ole Miss football for many years and has become an iconic symbol for the team. The history of the Rebel mascot dates back to the 1930s when a student suggested that the team should have a live bear as their mascot. The idea was quickly embraced, and the university acquired a black bear that was named Rebel. The live bear served as the official mascot until the 1960s when it became too dangerous to continue using a live animal.
The CRF’s student chapter, the largest student organization at UM, is committed to the cause, as evidenced by the signatures on last year’s petition for the Colonel’s restoration. A total of 4,160 petitions were delivered to former chancellor Dan Jones on April 28, 2011.
The landshark and the name Tony is actually an ode to Tony Fein, an Iraq War vet and former Rebel linebacker who passed away in 2009 after what was ruled an accidental drug overdose. After seven years without a mascot, the school held a vote in 2010 and brought in Rebel Black Bear, which immediately became an internet joke both within and without the Ole Miss community.
The live bear served as the official mascot until the 1960s when it became too dangerous to continue using a live animal. Since then, Rebel has been represented by a costumed student who wears a bear costume during football games and other university events. The student who portrays Rebel is carefully selected and trained to accurately represent the spirit and energy of the mascot.
Would the real Ole Miss mascot please stand up?
Ole Miss’ 2016 football team is expected to be pretty darn good. Despite an NCAA investigation and the Laremy Tunsil draft nightmare, the Rebels are ranked No. 10 in Athlon’s preseason rankings and face the top two teams in Alabama and Florida State in the first month of the season.
There is national buzz around the Rebels. Ole Miss knows who it is, a program on the rise, but not quite there yet. The Rebels are still looking for their first appearance in Atlanta for an SEC title game.
Ole Miss is a nationally recognized brand. The Rebels are the Rebels, sort of.
When the baseball team made it to Omaha in 2014, a store outside TD Ameritrade Park garnered attention when fans noticed Colonel Rebel patches available to buy. The issue? The Colonel was removed as Ole Miss’ mascot in 2003.
As coordinated as Ole Miss is for game days – a calendar of which color sundress to wear for which game has already circled social media – fans are still facing an identity crisis in Oxford. The mascot circus that started when the university removed the controversial Colonel in 2003 has never gone away.
Every other school in America has one mascot. Ole Miss has settled on three.
Here are three arguments for and three arguments against Colonel Rebel, the Landshark and Rebel Black Bear.
COLONEL REBEL
KEEP: The university sort of did. It removed him from on-field activity but retained the trademark. And the Colonel Reb Foundation keeps him going and sponsors his appearance in The Grove, as well as on the road. He was in Omaha. The strange part of removing Colonel Rebel was that the crowd that wanted him gone was and is still hard to identify. It seemed more of an in-house preventative than a cry for his removal. Colonel Rebel is a beloved historical figure, sort of like Colonel Sanders. Nobody is fussing about Sanders hawking his chicken all over the television.
REMOVE: If something offends a great number of people, there is a solid argument that it should be done away with. There is also a good argument that people are way too offended by things that aren’t offensive. In this case, removing Reb seems to have been a win-win. Officially, he’s gone. Unofficially, he never will be.
LANDSHARK
KEEP: Late linebacker Tony Fein came up with the Landshark fin to the helmet in 2008 when Ole Miss’ fourth-ranked rushing defense led the Rebels to a Cotton Bowl win. It’s fun. It’s harmless. It’s unique. Some are puzzled as to why it can’t be the official mascot. The marketing potential is limitless.
REMOVE: It has nothing to do with the Rebels’ nickname. Then again, neither does the elephant in Tuscaloosa.
REBEL BLACK BEAR
KEEP: Mississippi State fans get plenty of snark mileage making fun of the Rebel Black Bear. It’s pretty warranted when you consider the nickname change came about for really no reason, and the Black Bear is pretty random. But the kids love it, and that’s what sports is about. As long as Rebel roams the sidelines, he will become more popular with young fans. That is plenty of reason to keep him around. No one makes fun of Toys “R” Us’ Geoffrey or Chuck E. Cheese.
REMOVE: There are an estimated 40-50 bears in the entire state. If the mascot needs to be literal, there are way more crappie and bass.
ADMIRAL ACKBAR
KEEP: Don’t forget about Ackbar. The Star Wars character got a major push when Ole Miss was asking students their thoughts on the new mascot. It was a joke, sort of. It got so serious, Lucasfilm weighed in.
“Lucasfilm is flattered that our “Star Wars” fans at the University of Mississippi are considering electing Admiral Ackbar as their mascot. The last time we checked in with Admiral Ackbar, he was leading the Rebel Alliance Fleet on a critical mission so it will be difficult for him to show up for the games!”
REMOVE: Who could be against the Ole Miss Admiral Ackbars?
The costume itself is meticulously designed to resemble a black bear, complete with sharp claws and a fierce expression. Rebel makes frequent appearances at Ole Miss football games, energizing the crowd and boosting team spirit. The mascot is also involved in various pre-game and halftime activities, such as leading the team onto the field or performing entertaining routines. Rebel has become a recognizable figure not only among Ole Miss fans but also within the college football community as a whole. The presence of the Rebel mascot at Ole Miss football games creates a sense of unity and excitement among fans. It serves as a symbol of pride and tradition, representing the university's strong athletic program. The mascot embodies the strength and determination of the Ole Miss football team, inspiring both players and supporters alike. In conclusion, the Ole Miss football mascot, Rebel, holds a special place in the hearts of fans and players. The black bear mascot has a rich history and has become an essential part of the game-day experience at the University of Mississippi. Rebel represents the team's spirit and serves as a symbol of school pride and tradition..
Reviews for "The Controversial History of Ole Miss Football Mascots: A Comprehensive Timeline"
1. John - 1 out of 5 stars - I was really disappointed with the Ole Miss football mascot. The costume looked cheap and the person inside it didn't seem to have any enthusiasm or energy. The mascot was just standing there during the halftime show, not interacting with the crowd or even attempting any entertaining routines. It felt like a complete waste of time and money.
2. Emily - 2 out of 5 stars - I was expecting the Ole Miss football mascot to be fun and engaging, but it fell short of my expectations. The costume design was outdated and unappealing, and the person inside seemed disinterested. There was no energy or excitement in their performance, which made the halftime show boring and underwhelming. I think the university should invest in a new mascot that can bring more enthusiasm to the games.
3. David - 1 out of 5 stars - The Ole Miss football mascot was a major letdown. The costume looked old and worn out, and the person inside it barely made any effort to engage with the fans. It felt like they were just going through the motions without any genuine enthusiasm. I expected a mascot that would bring some spirit and excitement to the games, but all I got was disappointment. Hopefully, the university will consider revamping their mascot to create a more enjoyable experience for the fans.
4. Samantha - 2 out of 5 stars - I was not impressed with the Ole Miss football mascot. The costume design was lacking creativity and looked unprofessional. The person inside the costume seemed unenthusiastic and did not make any effort to interact with the fans. It was clear that they were bored and just going through the motions. The halftime show was lackluster and did not add any excitement or entertainment value to the game. Overall, I was disappointed with the mascot experience at Ole Miss football games.