It’s not exactly new but with the start of another NFL season upon us, and one unfortunate incident, Mascot Football is getting some attention. If you’re unfamiliar with Mascot Football, it’s basically a halftime show that pits team mascots against youth football teams. In other words, adults in costumes are knocking down and running over children.
I realize that last sentence may be off-putting but, rest assured, the kids are in full pads in helmets. It’s actually the mascots who are taking the beating. According to ESPN, the Baltimore Ravens mascot, Poe, was injured during halftime of the preseason finale against the Washington Commanders on Saturday, August 27th. In a video released by the Ravens, head coach John Harbaugh described Poe’s condition as a “serious injury to his drumstick.” Ouch. Poe is out for the season.
Hopefully, the person inside the Poe costume heals quickly. In the meantime, other mascots such as Miles (Broncos), Jaxson de Ville (Jaguars), Swoop (Eagles), Viktor (Vikings), Sourdough Sam (49ers), and the Panthers’ own Sir Purr will have to pick up the slack. The Indianapolis Colts’ mascot, Blue, really gets into it. He’s a bit of a showboat and doesn’t seem to like kids at all. Blue doesn’t hold back.
It’s not just NFL mascots who like to get out on the gridiron. Blooper, the mascot of Major League Baseball’s Atlanta Braves, recently showed up to play some Mascot Football at an Atlanta Falcons preseason game and just destroyed the defense. You can see that and other entertaining Mascot Football videos below. Seriously, this might be better than the real thing.
