Bowling Green’s furry star steals the spotlight

Meet Pudge, the unlikely face of Falcons football

Bowling Green football has found an unexpected spark this season, not from a player, but from a cat. Pudge, a three-year-old exotic shorthair Persian, has become the Falcons’ unofficial mascot and an internet sensation. From viral TikToks to his own merchandise line, the orange-coated feline is now a centerpiece of Bowling Green’s culture.

Even first-year head coach Eddie George, a Heisman Trophy winner who is allergic to cats, can’t resist Pudge. George has been spotted giving him a pat on the back and FaceTiming his kids with the team’s newest celebrity. “He’s become part of the family,” George admitted, a surprising confession given his condition.

Pudge’s rise began when long snapper George Carlson brought him into the locker room after a tough practice. Players immediately lit up. Wideout Finn Hogan posted a clip that drew millions of views, cementing Pudge as more than just a sideline pet.

Since then, he’s been featured on Bowling Green’s “Simba Cam,” tailgated with fans, and even landed in EA Sports’ College Football 25 with a +1 toughness boost. National pet brands have jumped on board, sending Pudge swag boxes filled with treats and toys.

Bowling Green is off to its best start in more than a decade, and players credit the furry mascot for lifting spirits. Whether on the sidelines or in a viral video, Pudge has given the Falcons more than good luck, he’s given them joy.

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