Ole Miss switching from one dumb mascot to another
Seven years ago, Ole Miss replaced Colonel Reb with the Black Bear, and now, they’re changing the mascot once again to something even dumber: the Landshark. Today, the university announced the Landshark will replace the Black Bear as the school’s primary mascot starting with the 2018 season. “Rebels” will remain the athletic teams’ nickname because, well — yeah, not going there today.
Why the switch? Students originally voted for the Black Bear back in 2010, but in a new poll, 81% voted for the Landshark to take its place. (The other option from 2010, the insufferable “Hotty Toddy,” could not be reached for comment.) Oddly, instead of having the Black Bear finish the 2017 season, Ole Miss is retiring him immediately, meaning when the Rebels come to Kroger Field next month, they will have no mascot on the sidelines. Weird.
Why a landshark, which isn’t a real animal, just a beer owned by Jimmy Buffet? The school traces its origin back to 2008, when Ole Miss defenders started doing the shark fin gesture atop their helmets. But come on. Let’s be honest. It’s because of this dude:
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Admiral Ackbar got screwed.
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