There will be a buffalo-sized hole at Folsom Field when Colorado opens the season against Georgia Tech.
When Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes run onto the field, they’ll be without their beloved live mascot, Ralphie VI.
That’s because the female bison is retiring after four years on the job due to her “indifference in running.”
The running of Ralphie is among college football’s most iconic traditions. With five handlers guiding her, the bison charges onto Folsom Field before kickoff, igniting the crowd and leading the team onto the field.
However, Ralphie VI, also known as Ember, has had enough.
“Due to an indifference to running, typical of many mammals both four-legged and two-legged, it was determined that it was in Ember’s best interest, based on her disposition, to focus on relaxing strolls on the pasture, which is her favorite hobby,” Colorado’s announcement said.
For now, Ember is retiring to greener pastures. Literally.
“Ember has been excellent in many aspects of her role as Ralphie, but she’s happiest relaxing on the ranch and we want to be respectful of her wishes,” said Taylor Stratton, Director of the Ralphie Live Mascot Program.
“She will continue to get the same top level of love and care that all of our Ralphies receive and will enjoy socializing with Ralphie V.”
In the meantime, Sanders and the football team will be without a live mascot, as her successor, Ralphie VII, continues to undergo training. There is no current set date for Ralphie VII’s debut.
How long has Colorado had a live mascot?
Colorado has featured a live mascot since 1966, a tradition that has spanned nearly six decades.
Every Ralphie has been female with the first appearing on the sidelines that year, and by 1967, she was leading the Buffaloes onto the field before kickoff.
Only in college football can you find live mascots, such as Ralphie, or Georgia’s Uga the Bulldog, LSU’s Mike the Tiger and Texas’ longhorn steer Bevo.
However, universities with live animal mascots have faced scrutiny in recent years, with organizations such as PETA calling the practice abusive and unnatural.
Who does Colorado open up with?
Sanders and Colorado open their season Friday, August 29, at home against Georgia Tech.
Last year, the Buffaloes finished 9-4 in Sanders’ second year at the helm, led by his son Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter.
As he enters his third season as the man in charge in Boulder, Sanders will look to do it with a new cast of characters and he will have to do it without the best player in college football last year, two-way superstar Hunter, who was drafted by Jacksonville.
Sanders recently announced Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter as the team’s starting quarterback for the season opener, winning the battle between highly-rated recruit Julian Lewis.
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“He’s the guy at this point,” Sanders said at a news conference Tuesday.
However, Prime did hint at the possibility of both quarterbacks seeing time.
“We’re hoping that you see some JuJu periodically through the game as well,” Sanders said. “We would like get him some reps as well. But the game predicates that.”
All eyes will be on Boulder, Colorado to see what Sanders has in store this season, and for now, he will have to do it without Ralphie by his side.