The all-time most memorable mascot moments

As we embark on this list, it's important to note that there is a physical structure to celebrate all sports fans love about mascots. The Mascot Hall of Fame, located roughly 20 miles from downtown Chicago in Whiting, Ind., opened in 2018, but the actual premise and official record keeping for such induction was established more than 10 years earlier by David Raymond, who served as the original Phillie Phanatic. Geared toward children but fun and informative for all ages, the Hall of Fame and Museum is an interactive experience worthy of a visit.

In recent years, one of the most entertaining NFL game day experiences is the ever-popular mascot football. This features an intended playful on-field matchup between available professional sports mascots — usually via other franchises from the host city or fellow pro sports mates — against a local youth tackle football team. It's generally held at halftime or pregame and always good for at least one or two mascots getting a little too rough with the opposing children. An unwarranted stiff arm here, maybe a flying tackle there. Anyway, it's always good fun for fans. 

Not only was Houston on the business end of a 48-27 loss at Oregon to open the 2007 college football season but the Cougar mascot was also roughed up by his Duck counterpart. As the story goes, the Oregon Duck wasn't too happy that the Cougar imitated his tradition of doing push-ups after a touchdown. While the Cougar did the same, the Duck went on the attack. It then carried over to the sideline, where the Duck began punching the Cougar, needing cheerleaders and event staff to intervene. The Duck mascot earned a one-game suspension for the melee. 

Mischievous yet beloved by his hometown fans, the Philadelphia Flyers' mascot "Gritty" is highly entertaining. He's delivered many, many memorable moments during his tenure as one of the greatest mascots of all time, but perhaps none more so notable than the first time he went streaking during a Flyers game. It would not be the last time, but when Gritty disrobed to expose all his orange glory and streaked during Philadelphia's 4-3 win over Pittsburgh at Lincoln Financial Field in a 2019 Stadium Series contest, he truly endeared himself to the masses. Oh yeah, he was ejected from the premises. 

NFL mascots seem a little edgier and more aggressive than other mascots. Even when an in-game skit was staged, Houston Texans mascot "Toro" was ready to rumble. Like the time during the 2012 season when a supposed Tennessee "fan" made his way onto the Texans' home field with a Titans flag. Seeing that, Toro sprung into action, then proceeded to put a WWE-style whooping on the seemingly defenseless Titans backer. The choreography was first-class.

Chicago's "Benny the Bull" is one of the most popular mascots in all of sports. However, off the court, the costume had endured its share of trouble. Barry Anderson, who followed the venerable Dan LeMonnier, Benny from 1985-2004, was accused of assaulting a police officer in 2006 and driving his mini motorcycle through Chicago's Grant Park. Anderson was also sued by a fan for what was alleged to a rough high-five, though charges were dropped. On a side note, a mascot offshoot of the Benny the Bull family, 'Da Bull" was introduced, and in 2004, the man who played him, Chester Brewster, was arrested for selling marijuana out of his car.

During a 1999 college football game between Michigan State and Wisconsin, a Spartans male cheerleader took exception to famed Badgers mascot Bucky taking the MSU flag. With sportsmanship thrown out the window, the Michigan State cheerleader tackled Bucky to the ground and continued to rough him up. Aid was quickly delivered to Bucky, who probably didn't think the seemingly good-natured prank would end with that result. Then again, the Spartans were amid a 40-10 thrashing at the hands of the Badgers.

There have been plenty of acrobatic mascots, especially on the NBA or college basketball scene. However, the famous Phoenix Suns Gorilla, who originated by happenstance in 1980, has proven to be among the most athletic of just about any mascot in pro sports. Of course, he's a character. He loved to rib legendary NBA coach Jack Ramsey, often sprinted up the stairs of the Suns' arena, or soared through the air while guided by balloons. However, he might be best known for his high-flying slam dunks — with help from a trampoline — which have always wowed and excited the home fans. 

The worst kind of damage a mascot can do to one's self is usually self-inflicted. Like when University of Colorado mascot "Chip the Buffalo" shot himself in the family jewels with a t-shirt cannon during a football game on Sept. 18, 2018. While moments like these tend to get a chuckle out of many, Chip had to be carted off the field. Thankfully, he was fine and back on the field. Of course, most males out there can relate. While humorous, it's something not wished upon a fellow fella.

Mascot gaffes are not limited to professional sports in the United States. During the 2009 world track and field championships in Berlin, "Berlino," the mascot of the event, thought it would be a good idea to give a piggyback ride to 400-meter hurdles champion Melanie Walker of Jamaica. Unfortunately, Berlino apparently didn't see the cart carrying the hurdles and wound up in quite the collision. Thankfully, neither he nor Walker were hurt.  

Ohio University might feel athletically inferior to larger Ohio State. That said, it didn't stop Ohio Bobcats mascot Rufus from taking on the more renowned Brutus, beloved mascot of the Buckeyes. Ohio State rolled to a 43-7 home win over the Bobcats on Sept. 18, 2010, but what's likely remembered most from that contest came when Rufus tackled Brutus as the Buckeyes were running onto the field, and continued the assault in the end zone. As ESPN reported, the back story regarding the whole situation is quite intriguing.

Obviously, drawing attention to one's self is an essential job requirement for any mascot. But, only for the right reasons. Unlike March 12, 1999, when popular San Jose Sharks mascot S.J. Sharkie got stuck while repelling from the top of the arena before a home game with the Detroit Red Wings. Always the true entertainer, Sharkie was trying to have a good time with it, gesturing and trying to get the crowd to cheer. Eventually, Sharkie was pulled back to safety. 

It's always special when players, coaches and officials interact with the mascots. One of the funnier moments came during the always-spirited NHL rivalry between Edmonton and Calgary, known as the "Battle of Alberta." During one particular installment from January 2003, then-Oilers coach Craig MacTavish grew tired of being taunted by Flames mascot Harry the Hound, reached in and pulled the red tongue out the mascot's outfit and tossed it into the stands. Harry and the Flames got the last laugh, however, via a 4-3 victory.

There are times when things get out of hand between live mascots, as was the case during the pregame of the 2019 Sugar Bowl (to conclude the 2018 season) between Texas and Georgia. When Georgia's beloved bulldog mascot Uga went to visit fellow legend Bevo, the Longhorn steer mascot for Texas, potential trouble ensued. Bevo didn't seem too receptive, and broke down his makeshift barrier and appeared to charge at the much smaller Uga. Thankfully, nobody, human or animal, was injured during the ruckus. 

Thought Sharkie getting stuck from the rafters was a stunt gone wrong? Anaheim Ducks' mascot "Wild Wing" went one better. During the pregame festivities of the Ducks' 1995-96 home opener, Wild Wing attempted to wow the crowd by diving over a wall of flames. Well, he never got much height on his leap, and ended up flopping into the gas jets of flames. Thankfully, the human inside the Wild Wing costume was fine, aside from suffering that intense sense of embarrassment.

Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon certainly left his mark while making an appearance at the Kenosha (Wis.) Kingfish minor-league baseball game in July 2022. While taking part in the head-to-head football practice favorite known as the "Oklahoma Drill,"  Dillon literally knocked the head off of Kingfish mascot, Elvis. The contact left the crowd stunned, and the actual human inside the costume seemed to be fine. That is, after taking a moment or two to find his bearings. 

Perhaps the most infamous moment of player-on-mascot crime came on July 9, 2003 in Milwaukee, when Randall Simon, then with the Pittsburgh Pirates, clubbed the Italian Sausage with a bat as it ran by during the Brewers' famed Sausage Race. Italian, with 19-year-old Mandy Wagner in the costume, fell to the ground. No serious physical damage was done, but Simon was questioned by police, fined for disorderly conduct and suspended three games. He was also branded Public Enemy No. 1 among mascots after the incident.

Who remembers Youppi!, mascot for the Montreal Expos? Like other MLB mascots, Youppi! was quite mischievous but usually harmlessly playful. That was until Aug. 23, 1989, when the Expos hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers. Apparently legendary Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda wasn't too pleased with the in-game antics from Youppi!, who was dressed in pajamas and a nightcap, holding a pillow and laying on top of the L.A. dugout. It was so much of a distraction for Lasorda that the beloved mascot was ejected from the game — and park — by third base umpire Bob Davidson.

The aforementioned Phillie Phanatic is the king of MLB mascots. All others should bow, but again, Tommy Lasorda was not impressed. The Phanatic has delivered some of the most memorable good-time moments of any mascot ever created, whether hounding broadcasters. mocking opposing players, parachuting into the ballpark or dancing with umpires. However, during a Dodgers-Phillies game in 1988, Lasorda seemed to take exception when the Phanatic brought out a mannequin the resembled the famed L.A. manager. So much so that Lasorda attacked the Phanatic and began hitting him with the mannequin. We assume it was all in good fun.

The Phillie Phanatic might be king of MLB mascots, when it comes to the best in the overall mascot business it essentially begins with The San Diego Chicken, whose story is well-remembered (and very amusingly told here) by his former road manager, Jack Bowen). Beginning in 1974 as the product of San Diego radio station KGB-FM, "The Chicken" transcended sports, though he was a fixture at Padres games for years. Ted Giannoulas famously donned the famed Chicken costume, until he was fired in May 1979 due to a dispute with KGB-FM. However, public outcry followed, and the fans' unwillingness to accept another person in the costume led to Giannoulas being hired back. On June 29, in front of roughly 47,000 fans at Jack Murphy Stadium, the mascot re-emerged from an egg as the "Famous Chicken," in what was dubbed the 'Grand Hatching."