Georgia's bulldog mascot Uga XI will get some rest Saturday.
Bebo XV, the 1,700-pound Longhorn mascot, will not be participating in Saturday's SEC title game in Atlanta because it is too big for Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Texas reports.
Uga XI's predecessors, Uga X and Bevo, made headlines before the 2019 Sugar Bowl when Bevo charged at a bulldog on the sideline.
“When Bebo was asked to be on the sideline at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, our staff considered several alternatives, including the location of the sideline.” According to ESPN, the SEC said in a statement:. “The reality is that sideline space in stadiums is limited. We cannot risk the safety of Bevo or those attending the game. The sidelines are narrow and have multiple sets for televisions and camera carts. We want to honor tradition throughout the conference, but the reality is that space is limited.”
According to ESPN, Bevo XV weighs more than 1,700 pounds, has a horn span of 58 inches, and continues Texas' live mascot tradition that began 108 years ago.
His handler, Silver Spurs, told ESPN that Bebo XV is “the biggest live mascot in college athletics.”
An animal of this size obviously requires plenty of space, and the Falcons' NFL stadium is not suitable for a live longhorn.
“We tried everything we could to get him there, but it just didn't work out,” says Bebo's handler and Silver Spurs Alumni Association Executive Director Ricky Brens. He told AtoZ Sports. “The SEC said there wasn’t enough space.”
But Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a good fit for the Bulldogs.
According to ESPN, the UGA XI is “expected” to play in the game against Athens, about 90 minutes from Atlanta.
The Bulldogs did not participate in Georgia's road win against Texas earlier this year, but many fans remember the last two times the Bulldogs and Longhorns met, according to ESPN.
Five years ago, Bebo was escorted around the sideline for a photo by his UGA UGA quickly fled the scene and disaster was averted.
UGA handler Charles Seiler said the mascots eventually posed for a photo together.
“Rick called and apologized. He said, 'Did you get any good pictures?' Sailer told ESPN.. “He said he thought Bebo was just exhausted from staring at the wall because he arrived at the arena about six hours before the game started and didn't move from his spot. He just wanted to go for a walk. I don't think the cow even saw the dog because there were so many people around.”
