Good sports animal Bevo XIV, the Texas University longhorn steer mascot, has died after being diagnosed with bovine leukemia virus last week. Bevo XIV served as the mascot for the Longhorns since 2004 and was on the sidelines for two Texas Rose Bowl victories, including their 2006 National Championship. Along with being there to witness many Texas football games, Bevo also was at many special events, including the second inauguration of former President George W. Bush.
Texas University has stated that the search for Bevo’s replacement, Bevo XV, will begin immediately, but I’m not sure why they are still looking since they already have a suitable replacement in this adorable dog that was cosplaying as Bevo last week during UT’s big win over Oklahoma.
https://twitter.com/AustinTexasExes/status/651933776998633472/photo/1
I suppose as cute as he is you can’t actually have a dog represent the Longhorns, and a new bull must be selected. But before that, let’s take a look back at some of Bevo XIV’s greatest hits over the last 11 years.
Here’s a young Bevo XIV at the 2005 Big 12 Championship game, where Bevo helped lead Texas to a 70-3 shellacking of Colorado.
Here’s Bevo attending one of the best college-football games of this century, in which Vince Young led Texas to a Rose Bowl victory over USC to secure a National Championship for the Longhorns.
Bevo was looking stoic as Texas was getting set to face off against in-state rival Texas A&M in 2006.
Bevo was fired up on the sidelines as Texas beat Ohio State in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl to cap off an 11-1 season.
Bevo XIV’s traveling partner Ricky Brennes, told TexasSports.com that Bevo XIV had a “sweet personality” and a “gentle soul” which was on display here, as Bevo looked on when Texas battled Kansas State in 2013.
Even as he got older, Bevo remained a staple for Longhorns football, even as they have struggled in recent years. Here he was for the 2013 Alamo Bowl.
And finally, here’s Bevo last bowl game appearance as he relaxes at the 2014 Texas Bowl. He will be missed by Texas fans and fans of mascots everywhere.
RIP Bevo.
