Every sports team out there has their mascot. These can be anything that represents the team to the public. The Texas Longhorns also have their own mascot, known as Bevo. The mascot for the University of Texas at Austin is a Texas Longhorn steer. It has been involved with the team for a long time and is present at various events as a tradition.

While the animal’s presence is often with the university, its recent appearance took a different turn. So what happened? The way it was carried into the university on certain occasions has enraged the fans on the internet. Many claimed it to be abusive towards the animal and even shared their concerns with the audience.

A fascinating historical tale of the mascot

The athletes in all sports played at the University of Texas are aware of their beloved Bevo. But since when? Dating back to 1916, a maverick longhorn steer was brought inside the premises of the college. It was boarded on a train from South Texas and was introduced at halftime during a football game to a massive cheering fanbase in the stands.

According to the official website of the University of Texas, the name Bevo is a mystery in itself. But why? The editor of the alumni magazine at that time decided on this name, either after a drink or by combining “beeve,” a plural form of “beef,” with “o.” In the history of the college, they have had more than a dozen Bevo(s), and the animal is taken care of by the Silver Spurs student service organization. 

The back and forth of Bevo into the university premises is pretty common, and recently it was also seen on the Texas Longhorns’ official X profile. The video showcased the massive animal carried into the college with two people donning cowboy attire, and more followed them behind. The public was also cheering them on by watching the elegance of the longhorn steer. 

So what was the occasion this time for the Bevo’s presence? The first round of the 2024 College Football Playoffs took place at the DKR–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas, on December 21. Indeed, it was a momentous occasion, and the college players needed their mascot to maintain an uplifting mood during the event. However, when the video of the mascot surfaced online, people’s reactions to this gesture weren’t entirely positive.

Fans weren’t happy with the Texas Longhorns

On many grounds, animal abuse has been a concerning issue among the communities. So, when such occasions take place that require an animal for a certain tradition, it does spark a debate among the community. The heat that Texas Longhorns received was no different, as one fan stated, “Animals are NOT toys! PLS cut this sht out.” Another person shared their concerns for the audience and the animal, stating, “This is a very dangerous situation.” Similarly, one fan stated, “Imagine he gets lose and gores everyone.”

Even though Bevo has his historic importance towards the team, the community was having none of it! As per many sources, around 10 million animals pass away due to abuse in the United States each year. Furthermore, reports indicate that the annual reporting rate of animal abuse cases is less than 0.01%.

Owing to all the factors, fans were just concerned about Bevo, as one stated, “This is just just cruel to have animals tied up for the sake of the parade.” Similarly, another fan wanted everyone to understand how it may feel when using an animal just for entertainment purposes, stating, “Imagine if it was you who was tied up and forced to parade in front of people just for the sake of it.”

Such situations are indeed inherently complex. There are differing perspectives on this issue, with some viewing it as a traditional practice, while others raise concerns about animal abuse. Ultimately, the issue revolves around perspective and the community’s perception of Bevo.