He’s one of the most recognizable live-animal mascots among universities. He’s been a staple of Texas Athletics since his introduction on Thanksgiving Day in 1916.
He’s Bevo.
For nearly 110 years, Bevo has been there for Texas’ greatest accomplishments in sports — and some members of the Bevo lineage have more decorated journeys than their fellows.
Here are some key moments in the mascot’s history:
BEVO VII
Though Bevo I was the first in a royal line of cattle for Texas, it was Bevo VII that was witness to some of the greatest achievements Texas ever had. In 1963, the Longhorns were still seeking its first national championship for football in program history, touting an undefeated season and preparing to face off against Navy and Roger Staubach in the National Championship.
While the team spent the season dominating the gridiron, Bevo VII spent it overcoming the trauma of being kidnapped by a group of students from Texas A&M. A group of Aggies stole Bevo before the Thanksgiving game earlier on in the season and didn’t return him until a few days later when he was found tied to a tree by Texas Rangers. Though he had to endure some unexpected time near College Station, Bevo VII went on to see his team win its first national championship in football.
Bevo X
Fast forwarding to the year 1977, Texas had not only won their first national championship in 1963 but went on to win a few more in 1969 and 1970. Bevo X never saw a championship win like his predecessor did, but he saw something for the first time that no Bevo had seen before — a Heisman trophy.
In 1977, senior running back Earl Campbell took home the Heisman for the first time in Texas history, leading the college football game in rush yards (1,744) and touchdowns (19). Besides being known as the first Bevo to see a Longhorn Heisman, Bevo X had some other admirable qualities as well. For instance, this Bevo hated the color red — a sentiment shared by many Texas fans.
Bevo XIII
The longest-tenured Bevo was also the winningest one. Bevo XIII served as Texas’ mascot for 16 years.
Bevo XIII saw some incredible feats by the Longhorns as the team’s mascot, including another Heisman trophy winner in Ricky Williams in 1998, a national championship in baseball and the beginning of the Vince Young era. Bevo XIII retired just before Texas’ 2005 National Championship victory in football and finished with a record 124–67–2. Bevo XIII died in 2006, two days after Texas defeated Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry game 28–10.
Bevo XIV
Perhaps the greatest Bevo of all time, Bevo XIV was a traveler, a guest of high-ranking state officials, a movie star and a witness to one of the greatest games ever played in the history of college football.
Bevo XIV made the most of his time with Texas, taking trips to Washington D.C., to attend George W. Bush’s presidential inauguration in 2005 before pivoting to Hollywood to take on a starring role in the 2015 Texas Football feature film “My All-American,” playing the part of Bevo IX.
Bevo XIV also took a quick trip to Pasadena, California to witness Vince Young’s national championship run. Bevo XIV finished his time with Texas in 2015 as one of the greatest to ever do it, boasting a 110–44 football record and doing more than any steer could have possibly imagined.
