Big Beef: No Space for Bevo at SEC Title Game
As No. 2 Texas and No. 5 Georgia gear up for their highly anticipated rematch in Saturday’s SEC Championship Game, one iconic showdown won’t be happening: the face-off between their beloved mascots, Bevo and Uga. That’s right—Bevo, Texas’ massive live longhorn, won’t be making the trip to Atlanta, and fans are already buzzing about the absence of this larger-than-life figure.
For those who remember the unforgettable 2019 Sugar Bowl, Bevo’s absence is a bit of a letdown. Back then, the 1,700-pound steer made headlines when he charged out of his pen during a pregame photo op, knocking over a police barricade and causing a stir. It was a moment that cemented Bevo’s reputation as one of the most memorable mascots in college football. But this time around, logistical challenges have sidelined the big guy.
Why Bevo Isn’t Coming to Atlanta
According to an SEC spokesman, the issue boils down to space—or rather, the lack of it. Bevo XV, who weighs more than 1,700 pounds and boasts an impressive horn span of 58 inches, requires a sizable enclosure to keep him safe and comfortable. Unfortunately, the narrow sidelines at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta just don’t cut it.
“When we received the request for Bevo to be on the sideline in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, our staff looked at several alternatives including the sideline location,” the SEC said in a statement. “The reality is there is limited sideline space at the stadium. We can’t jeopardize the safety of Bevo or the game participants. With the narrow sidelines, location of multiple sets for television and camera carts, there is not enough space. While we want to honor tradition across the conference, the space limitation is a reality.”
It’s a tough pill to swallow for Texas fans, especially since Bevo was able to travel to last year’s College Football Playoff semifinal at the Sugar Bowl. But the SEC’s decision underscores the unique challenges of accommodating such a massive mascot. After all, Bevo’s handlers, the Silver Spurs, proudly claim he’s the “largest live mascot in college athletics.” For comparison, Colorado’s Ralphie VI, a live buffalo, is estimated to weigh about 850 pounds—less than half of Bevo’s size.
Uga XI Will Be There—But He’s Staying Close to Home
While Bevo is staying put in Texas, Georgia’s mascot, Uga XI, will be making the short 70-mile trip from Athens to Atlanta. The 2 1/2-year-old English bulldog has had a relatively light travel schedule this season, skipping Georgia’s game at Kentucky and their earlier matchup against Texas in Austin. According to his owner, Charles Seiler, the decision to limit Uga’s travel is all about keeping the pup comfortable.
“That’s a lot of wear and tear on the dog,” Seiler told the Austin American-Statesman. “… Those games way out in the middle of the country are hard for us to get to. This dog that we have—well, he’s not new—but he’s only 2 1/2, and we haven’t flown him yet, and he hasn’t been on a team bus yet.”
Uga XI took over mascot duties in 2023, succeeding Uga X, who famously had a run-in with Bevo during the 2019 Sugar Bowl. Despite the chaos of that moment, Seiler insists there’s no bad blood between the two mascots. In fact, he believes Bevo’s behavior that day was more about boredom than anything else.
Revisiting the 2019 Mascot Drama
Looking back on the 2019 incident, Seiler told ESPN earlier this year that he doesn’t think Bevo even noticed Uga during the commotion. Instead, he believes the steer was simply restless after spending hours in the same spot.
“Rick [Brennes, executive director of the Silver Spurs] called me and apologized,” Seiler said. “He said he thinks that, because Bevo got to the arena like six hours before the game started and hadn’t moved from that spot, he just got worn out from staring at a wall. He just wanted to go for a stroll. I don’t think the cow ever even saw the dog, because there were too many people around.”
Despite the drama, the two mascots eventually posed for photos together, proving that even the most unlikely rivals can find common ground. But for fans hoping for a rematch of that iconic moment, this year’s SEC Championship Game will have to do without the mascots’ larger-than-life presence.
Key Takeaways
- Bevo XV, Texas’ 1,700-pound longhorn mascot, won’t be traveling to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game due to space limitations at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
- Georgia’s Uga XI, a 2 1/2-year-old English bulldog, will be in attendance, but his travel schedule has been limited this season to prioritize his comfort.
- The 2019 Sugar Bowl incident between Bevo and Uga remains a memorable moment in college football history, but both mascots’ handlers insist there’s no lingering animosity.
While the absence of Bevo and Uga’s face-off might disappoint fans, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Texas and Georgia as they battle it out for SEC supremacy. One thing’s for sure: the action on the field will be just as intense as the drama off it.
Originally Written by: Unknown
