Georgia’s live bulldog mascot Uga will not be making the flight to Austin, Texas for this weekend’s game against the University of Texas. But while Uga’s handler has attributed his absence to “travel logistics,” fans think they know the real reason.
Speaking to the Austin American Statesman, Uga XI’s handler Charles Seiler stated that the travel would cause “a lot of wear and tear” on him and that games in the middle of the country are hard for him to attend. Per the report, Uga did not travel to Georgia’s other road game against Kentucky.
“That’s a lot of wear and tear on the dog,” Seiler said. “…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 two-and-a-half, and we haven’t flown him yet, and he hasn’t been on a team bus yet.”
Georgia mascot Uga won’t be in attendance when the Bulldogs play Texas tomorrow. His handler, Charles Seiler, said the decision was based on travel logistics, rather than Bevo-related concerns: https://t.co/y6Ai6JmZz8
— David Eckert (@davideckert98) October 18, 2024
While that may be a reasonable issue, fans have largely recalled an incident from the 2019 Sugar Bowl when the former live mascot, Uga X, was nearly assaulted by Texas’ live mascot, Bevo the longhorn steer. The video of Bevo charging Uga went viral and Texas went on to win the game.
As a result, many fans are joking that Uga is simply scared to have to face Bevo again:
“UGA scared,” one user replied.
“UGA IS SCURRED, PAAAWWLLLL!” wrote another.
“UGA running from Bevo…..” a third wrote.
In fairness, there’s plenty of reason for a 30-pound bulldog to be afraid of a half-ton steer with sharpened horns coming straight at him.
Related: Video: Texas’ Mascot, Bevo, Goes Crazy On Field Before Sugar Bowl