ATLANTA – The upcoming Southeastern Conference championship game is set to take place without the participation of a beloved mascot, marking a departure from past traditions. The league has confirmed that the renowned 1,700-pound longhorn, Bevo XV, from No. 2 Texas will not make an appearance on the sideline at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta due to space constraints.
In this much-anticipated matchup, Texas will face No. 5 Georgia. While both teams boast iconic mascots, only Georgia’s smaller and beloved English bulldog, Uga XI, will be present on the sidelines. Uga XI, who is pure white, ranks among college football’s most cherished symbols.
This decision follows an incident during the 2019 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, where Bevo XV broke through his enclosure and charged toward Uga X, who was the predecessor to Uga XI. Fortunately, Texas’s handlers were able to intervene before any harm came to the smaller bulldog.
SEC spokesman Chuck Dunlap explained the decision by stating, “Upon receiving the request for Bevo to be present on the sidelines at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, our team explored various options, including sideline locations. Unfortunately, the reality is that the stadium has limited space, and we prioritize the safety of Bevo and all game participants.”
The proximity of other structures, such as field-level suites situated behind the team benches, further complicates matters. Dunlap elaborated, “With narrow sidelines and the presence of multiple television sets and camera carts, space is severely restricted. While we value our traditions and the spirit of our conference, space limitations must be considered.”
Dunlap later indicated that the SEC made efforts to accommodate Bevo by exploring alternate locations for him, such as the nearby Georgia World Congress Center during fan events. “We considered multiple options for Bevo to be present, including a spot at the SEC FanFare, but there ultimately wasn’t an opportunity for him to appear on the field because of the space issues,” he noted in a correspondence.
While the absence of Bevo may disappoint some fans expecting the traditional mascot encounter, the SEC continues to work within the confines of safety and venue practicality, emphasizing the importance of maintaining both tradition and a secure environment for all involved in the championship.
