WATCH: Oregon’s mascot The Duck crashes Pat McAfee's show
The Oregon Ducks made their presence in the Big Ten media days felt by floating an enormous inflatable duck on the White River in Indianapolis. Alongside the fighting talk from coach Dan Lanning, the duck was one of Oregon's media day highlights.
Oregon's mascot has been making a nuisance of itself in cheeky ways at various Big Ten grounds. On Monday, the Duck arrived at the set of the Pat McAfee Show. Communicating primarily via an erasable board as well as nods and translations from crew members, the Oregon mascot had a swell time explaining its Big Ten jaunts and even throwing a football across the studio.
The adventures of the Oregon Duck mascot
The identity of the wearer of the Duck's mascot suit has always been kept a secret, with the wearer not even allowed to speak nor reveal their identify in the future.
In Oregon's news website, there is an article detailing the funniest experiences that were shared anonymously by previous wearers of the suit. One former duck told a tale of how he/she fought the Houston Cougars mascot during a game, which got the reaction that they both wanted from the crowd.
"Yeah, my first football game, I fought the Cougar. I’d had a few energy drinks called Whoop Ass. I’m pretty sure they’re not sold anymore. I don’t hurt him, he doesn’t hurt me. He took me down and tackled me. I fake-punched him. There were some inappropriate gestures. The team gave me the game ball," said a former duck.
Another former duck relived the affection that he/she got from the rabid crowd in Autzen Stadium because of his/her funny antics during games.
"We were suspended for two games. The second game of the suspension was the next home game. [Athletics] had me bring the suit up to the press box and they put me on the Jumbotron. I stuck my head out the window and as I looked down at the crowd in Autzen, I put my arms up, and everyone turned around to look up at me. I had a standing ovation from the crowd. I felt heroic. I felt like the greatest Duck on earth," recalled another former duck.
Over the years, the wearers of Oregon's Duck suit have revolutionized the role and the Big Ten will be introduced to one of the most interesting mascots in college football. Oregon will kick off its inaugural season in the new conference on August 31 at 4:30 PM P.T in a home game against Idaho.