Best mascot schtick
I know this is hypocritical in some ways as I just said Stanford needs a tougher mascot at Puddles the Duck looks like anything but a tough guy. Puddle’s is the really nice cousin of Sebastian the Ibis with his big smile and charming ascot. Yet Puddles does one of the coolest mascot gimmicks in the country which is ride out on a Harley. Sure he’s the dude on the back which is sort of lame and would never earn credibility on Sons of Anarchy, but Puddles is a dude in a mascot suit that probably shouldn’t be operating heavy machinery.
If you’ve ever been in Autzen Stadium, you know it never rains and Puddles is going to ride out on the Harley and set the tone for the afternoon. Mascots are one of my favorite parts of college football and whether it’s the sort of creepy dude in the Fighting Irish outfit or Sebastian the Ibis in camouflage carrying an M-16- they’re a fun part of the tradition of college football.
While at my first Oregon game I got to experience the glory of Puddles and the Harley and between that and the Indoor Practice Facility being used as a beer garden I was sold on all that was Oregon football. I love the gimmick that is Puddles and the Harley and if you’re ever in Eugene you should enjoy that experience, too.