The state of Colorado is home to a wide array of unique and fascinating wildlife. In order to represent the state's diverse ecosystem and showcase its love for its charismatic animal inhabitants, Colorado has adopted a variety of mascots over the years. One of the most well-known mascots of Colorado is the bighorn sheep. This majestic creature, with its distinctive curved horns and impressive agility, is a symbol of strength and resilience. The bighorn sheep can be found in the Rocky Mountains and is revered for its ability to traverse treacherous terrain with ease. As a mascot, the bighorn sheep embodies the spirit of Colorado - bold, adventurous, and always pushing boundaries.
CU’s Ralphie Makes The Cut As An All-Time Greatest Mascot
Courtesy of Dylan Bernstein Runner Dylan Bernstein sprints along Ralphie's right shoulder at Folsom Field.
Sports Illustrated is celebrating college football's 150th season by ranking the top 10 all-time greatest mascots. The University of Georgia's bulldog was accorded 1st place.
Uga is followed by the ever-present Duck from the University of Oregon, Mike the tiger at Louisiana State University, Bevo the longhorn bull at the University of Texas and Stanford University's Tree.
Ralphie, the University of Colorado's 1,200-pound live buffalo comes in at number six. If you’re counting, that means Ralphie ranked behind a human in a tree suit — a small solace for Colorado State University fans, since the venerable Cam the Ram didn’t make the list.
Still, it’s not a surprise that Ralphie was ranked. The massive bison is guided by student “Ralphie Runners” as the mascot thunders down the field to open home games. Sports Illustrated rightly describes it as a bucket list thing to experience. Earning the honor to run with Ralphie is like trying out for the team, there is a physical trial and more — like, are you willing to clean up bison dung?
Closing out the Sports illustrated list is Cocky, South Carolina's costumed gamecock, Western Kentucky University's Big Red, Syracuse University's orange named Otto and Smokey the University of Tennessee's bluetick coonhound.
The latest Uga is the 10th iteration of the mascot, which the magazine says has been a staple since 1956. The current Ralphie is Ralphie V. She (Yup, she is a she. Male bison are much too big) has served since 2008.
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University of Colorado’s 1,200-pound buffalo mascot forced to retire because she runs too fast
One of college football’s biggest — and to some, greatest — mascots is hanging up her harness. She just loves the job too much to keep going.
Ralphie V, the 1,200-pound buffalo at the University of Colorado, is retiring after 12 seasons of leading the Buffaloes’ football team onto Folsom Field and performing other celebratory bovine tasks.
Whereas past Ralphies have slowed down with age, Ralphie V has gotten faster and stronger, which worried some.
“She has been so excited to run that she was actually running too fast, which created safety concerns for her and her handlers,” the university said in a news release.
She will spend the rest of her days — buffalo can live for more than 20 years, and Ralphie V is 13 — on a secret ranch near the university campus in Boulder. Her handlers keep her location confidential so fans don’t flock to the site — or, worse, so opposing fans don’t try to harass or kidnap her.
AdvertisementRalphie V began her mascot tenure as a yearling in 2007. She weighed 450 pounds, less than half of her current weight. Immediately, one thing was clear: She loved to run.
“Her personality is very fun and energetic,” said John Graves, the university’s Ralphie program manager and her trainer. “She really, really loves to run on game day.”
That’s not always the case with buffalo, Graves said. They’re huge, and running expends a lot of energy. And in the wild or in large pastures in captivity, they don’t have much to run from. A running buffalo, he said, is a buffalo at play.
Over the years, Ralphie V has gotten more and more hyped up about leading the Buffaloes onto the field at the beginning of the game and out of the locker room to start the second half.
She picks up on the cues from her handlers and will hunch down and surge out of her pen as the public-address announcer bellows, “Here comes Ralphie!” followed by, “and the Colorado Golden Buffaloes!”
Deion Sanders meets Colorado mascot, Ralphie the Buffalo, for first time
It took a few months, but Colorado head coach Deion Sanders finally met one of the most important figureheads in the football program: Ralphie the Buffalo.
"This is Coach Prime! You're going to have a good fall together," Ralphie's handler told the buffalo as Sanders slowly inched away from the animal.
Sanders eventually worked up the courage to hand-feed Ralphie some grain mixture, then watched from Ralphie's trailer as her trainers took her for a run.
Sanders thought he was safe until he saw Ralphie run straight toward the trailer — and him.
ADVERTISEMENT"Oh no. We're supposed to stay here?" Sanders said. "I'm not standing here while this thing is coming at me full speed!"
The NFL legend got increasingly more frightened as Ralphie came closer, even attempting to hide behind one of his camera operators. Fortunately for everyone involved, both the mascot and one of the biggest coaching hires of the college football offseason emerged unscathed.
"Ralphie was intimidating," Sanders said afterward. "That was intimidating. That was something."
Sanders will make his coaching debut as Colorado kicks off one of its most anticipated seasons in recent memory when the Buffaloes face national runner-up TCU in Fort Worth on Sept. 2.
Read more:
- With Travis Hunter a two-way threat, Colorado looks to challenge Pac-12 hierarchy
- Colorado spring football storylines: Prime Time arrives in Boulder
- College Football Rankings: Our top 25, spring football edition
- 2023 NFL mock draft: Football writers make all 31 first-round picks
- 2023 USFL odds: Title lines for every team; Stallions, Generals co-favorites
- Four of South Carolina's five 'Freshies' entering 2023 WNBA Draft
- NASCAR takeaways: Christopher Bell conquers Bristol dirt for first 2023 win
- MLB power rankings: Rays for real? Time for concern with Cardinals, Phillies?
- USWNT's Mallory Swanson diagnosed with torn patella tendon
- 2023 NBA playoff bracket, picture set: First round matchups
As a mascot, the bighorn sheep embodies the spirit of Colorado - bold, adventurous, and always pushing boundaries. Another popular mascot of Colorado is the black bear. Known for its powerful build and iconic black fur, the black bear is a symbol of the state's wild and untamed landscapes.
Colorado is home to a significant population of black bears, and encounters with these magnificent creatures are not uncommon. The black bear represents the ruggedness and natural beauty of Colorado, reminding residents and visitors alike to embrace the wilderness and respect the wildlife that calls it home. In addition to these animal mascots, Colorado also pays tribute to its agricultural heritage with mascots such as the Rocky Mountain bison and the Colorado honeybee. The bison is an iconic symbol of the American West, and Colorado is home to several herds of these massive creatures. The honeybee, on the other hand, represents the state's commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. As a vital pollinator, the honeybee plays a crucial role in Colorado's diverse ecosystems and agricultural industry. Overall, the mascots of Colorado reflect the state's deep appreciation for its wildlife and natural resources. Whether it's a symbol of strength and resilience like the bighorn sheep, or an embodiment of the wild and untamed landscapes like the black bear, each mascot represents an aspect of Colorado's unique identity. These mascots serve as a reminder to both residents and visitors that Colorado's natural wonders are to be cherished and protected for generations to come..
Reviews for "The Rise of Digital Mascots: Colorado's Virtual Spirit Animals"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Colorado mascot. It just didn't seem to have any connection to the state or its culture. I was hoping for something more unique and representative of Colorado's beautiful landscapes and wildlife. The mascot felt generic and uninspired.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I found the Colorado mascot to be quite underwhelming. The design was lackluster and didn't capture the spirit of the state at all. It seemed like a missed opportunity to showcase the rich history and outdoor activities that Colorado is known for. I was expecting something more visually appealing and engaging.
3. Mike - 2 stars - The Colorado mascot left a lot to be desired. It lacked personality and looked like a generic character that could represent any state. I was hoping for a mascot that could truly encapsulate the unique vibe and culture of Colorado. It felt like a missed opportunity to showcase the state's distinctive attributes and connect with the audience on a deeper level.
4. Emma - 1 star - I was really let down by the Colorado mascot. It just didn't have any charm or originality. The design was forgettable and didn't make me feel any connection to the state. I expected something more exciting and memorable that would leave a lasting impression. Unfortunately, the Colorado mascot fell short of my expectations.