Penn State Mascot Doubtful for Rose Bowl After DUI Arrest

Apparently the Nittany Lion celebrated a little too much in anticipation of Penn State winning the Land Grant Trophy and clinching the Rose Bowl bid. That, or because of the honor he was to receive at the game for serving as the mascot since January 2007. Well the celebration part was not the problem for the college senior, it was the pure stupidity of getting behind the wheel.

The officer who made the stop saw that the vehicle was overloaded, with passengers piled onto each other and blocking the driver's view.

So I'm guessing that none of the passengers were in a much better state to think it wasn't a good idea or that someone else should be driving.

The arrest took place at 3:15 a.m. Probably a good thing it was a 3:30 game. Plenty of time to get processed and released. Anyone else wondering if he had a hangover for the game?

Mascots Gone Wild

Penn State's mascot is now listed as questionable for the Nittany Lions' appearance in the Rose Bowl after having a brush with the law early in the morning. Click through for other cases of mascot misconducts.

Paul Spinelli, Getty Images

Off-the-field trouble apparently isn't just for the Steelers' players. One of the people who played the team's mascot, Steely McBeam, is arrested and accused of driving under the influence. Find out the trouble other mascots have gotten themselves into.

Michael Fabus, Getty Images

Benny the Bull got in hot water for shooting a T-shirt gun at two Celtics earlier this month, and this isn't Benny's first brush with the law. He got in trouble for hitting an off-duty police officer two years ago.

Gary Dineen, NBAE/Getty Images

The Mariners' Moose got into trouble last August, as he hit Red Sox outfielder Coco Crisp with his ATV during a game in Seattle. FanHouse's Mascot Violence Videos

Christopher Ruppel, Getty Images

Flames mascot Harvey The Hound lost his ability to speak when Edmonton Oilers coach Craig MacTavish ripped his tongue out during a 2003 game in Calgary.

Jeff McIntosh, AP

This past month, there was a spectacular brawl between Oral Roberts' Eli the Eagle and IUPUI's Jawz the Jaguar. FanHouse's Mascot Violence Videos

YouTube

The Oregon Duck got into a fight with Houston's Cougar last season, and earned himself him a suspension and a spot in the YouTube Hall of Fame. FanHouse's Mascot Violence Videos

Jonathan Ferrey, Getty Images

The person inside Stanford Tree was fired in 2006 for being drunk on the job, when campus police saw her taking nips from a flask during a basketball game.

Jeff Gross, Getty Images

You aren't even safe from mascots attacking at the beach. Lightning mascot Thunderbug was caught on video causing a ruckus at the shore.
FanHouse's Mascot Violence Videos

Harry How, Getty Images

The Titans' T-Rac was slapped with a lawsuit for a 2005 incident where he ran into the Saints' Adrian McPherson, injuring the rookie and getting him placed on IR for the entire season.

Joe Murphy, Getty Images

According to the article, it will be up to Joe Paterno and the Penn State coaches to determine whether the mascot travels to Pasadena. Anthony Quarless may have some advice to him on how to deal with the coaches after a DUI arrest. No word of ESPN's Outside the Lines is planning a follow-up.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

12-02-2008 @ 12:28PM

Joe S said...

How could the mascot lose focus like this? The whole team needs to be on the same page to get a Rose Bowl win! LOL

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12-02-2008 @ 7:39PM

JACK NAPIER said...

He told the officer he was sober but he was lion...

12-03-2008 @ 5:53PM

Heather said...

You make me chuckle.

mike said...

They picked him out of the lion-up.

12-02-2008 @ 7:40PM

Woody said...

I think the officer was Nitney picking...

12-02-2008 @ 9:34PM

Denster said...

Poor guy was overwhelmed by the possibility of PSU playing SC in the Rose Bowl. I don't blame him...if it happens, the Trojans will win by at least 2 touchdowns. Pleeeeeeze, let it be; I'm on a plane to Vegas with every dollar I have. I'm thinking SC will be favored by 6 or 7....and that would be the LOCK of the CENTURY.

12-03-2008 @ 12:37AM

Tom said...

Favored by 6 or 7? Im still laughing. I remember years ago when the mighty Condoms..errr Trojans of the Marcus Allen era were favored to trample the Lions and ended up getting their jock straps handed to them. My Prediction? Nittany Lions 24, USC Condoms 14.

GeraldR5 said...

Why penalize Rose Bowl football fans because the Penn State mascot broke the law. The fans are entitled to the total package and that includes the mascot!!! Free the Nittany Lion!!!