The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl has stirred controversy among Texas Longhorns fans after it was announced that Bevo XV, the team’s iconic live steer mascot, would not be allowed to attend the College Football Playoff game against Arizona State on New Year’s Day. Officials cited limited sideline space at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta as the reason for the decision, declaring it unsafe to accommodate the 1,700-pound mascot with a 58-inch horn span.
This is not the first time Bevo has been excluded from an event at this venue. Similar spatial constraints also prevented the mascot’s attendance during Texas’ SEC Championship Game loss to Georgia earlier this month. Matt Garvey, the Peach Bowl’s vice president of communications, stated that the decision prioritized the safety of all parties involved, including Bevo, players, media personnel, and camera crews. However, fans of the Longhorns expressed their disappointment, arguing that the absence of Bevo detracts from the spirit and essence of the game.
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One fan strongly criticized the decision, calling it “Grade A bulls**t.” Others saw it as a missed marketing opportunity, particularly for Chick-fil-A. Some joked about Bevo’s absence, suggesting he might be relieved not to attend, while others defended the safety considerations behind the decision.
The game itself is shaping up to be a high-stakes quarterfinal clash in the College Football Playoff. The No. 5 Texas Longhorns, coming off a decisive 38-24 victory over Clemson, will face the No. 4 Arizona State Sun Devils. Texas is led by quarterback Quinn Ewers, who has thrown for 2,867 yards and 26 touchdowns this season. Arizona State enters the game on a high note as well, following a dominant 45-19 win over Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship. Their standout running back, Cam Skattebo, has been a key player with 1,568 rushing yards, 506 receiving yards, and 22 total touchdowns this season.
The matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium promises to be a thrilling battle of strategies, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Fans are eager to witness this exciting showdown, even as the absence of Bevo casts a shadow over the occasion.