Arkansas will not Allow Jak Into Razorback Stadium

Sep 19, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs live mascot Bully XXI (Jak) is seen before the game against the Northwestern State Demons at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State won 62-13. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

One of the great things about being the Bulldogs is we get to have two versions of our mascot. One is the Bully we all see going up and down the field and into the stands. It’s a person dressed up in a costume. The other is a live Bulldog. The current “Bully” is Jak. Jak took over for his dad Champ right before the Spring Maroon and White Football game.

Normally, Mississippi State has Jak travel with the team to away games. But for this weekend’s game against the Razorbacks, Jak will not be joining the team according to Mississippi State professor Whit Waide.

Now, I think Arkansas has done this in the past, but I am not 100% certain about it. I sent a tweet asking them if they would explain why they won’t allow Jak to enter the stadium. I vaguely remember this being the case in past trips to Arkansas, but I am not certain.

The one thing that is clear is this is not at all a policy against having any live mascots in the stadium. The Razorbacks have their own live mascot in Tusk. He attends all the home games for Arkansas. The Arkansas Razorbacks have a new Tusk that was born last February. If the Razorbacks ever explain their reasoning for not allowing Jak into the stadium, I will update this post. Also, if I can come across a story about past trips where he wasn’t allowed to come into the stadium, I’ll link it here.

Until then though, feel free to voice your displeasure with the University of Arkansas. I wouldn’t have any objections to you letting their official Twitter account @ArkRazorbacks. Just throwing that out there.