Football is usually about grit, grind, and toughness, but at Bowling Green University in Ohio, the team’s newest star isn’t a linebacker or quarterback. It’s a fluffy, pug-faced Persian cat named Pudge.
It all started during a recent practice when a player suffered a serious injury, leaving the team devastated. That’s when number 47, George Carlson, stepped in with an idea that would change everything.
“I wanted to bring morale up, so I brought him in on a Sunday,” Carlson shared in a social media post. “And the rest is history.”
Carlson carried Pudge, the exotic short-haired cat with a heart-melting face, into the locker room. Instantly, the mood shifted. Players surrounded the tawny feline, showering him with pats, scratches, and smiles. Pudge did what pep talks couldn’t: he lifted an entire team’s spirits.
Before long, a custom brown-and-orange jersey appeared, perfectly feline-sized. Videos of Pudge hanging out with the players went viral, and even reporters tried to snag an interview. (Pudge, of course, had no comment.)
The Bowling Green Falcons kicked off their season on August 28th with a new unofficial mascot cheering from the sidelines. Fierce but fluffy, Pudge proves that even in one of the toughest sports, there’s always room for a little softness.
Because sometimes, the best teammate is the one who purrs.
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