Sports

College Football Mascot Snubs Handshake After Haymakers Fly During Sideline Fight In Alabama

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Alabama State A&M Mascot Fight
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The Alabama State Hornets got the best of the Alabama A&M Bulldogs in the 83rd edition of the Magic City Classic at Legion Field in Birmingham on Saturday. However, the judges have yet to issue a formal decision on who won the mascot fight that broke out in the middle of the college football game.

It was a pretty heated brawl that could be ruled in favor of Stinger or Butch. A no decision is also not out of the realm of possibility considering they both landed some pretty big shots!

Stinger, the self-proclaimed ‘BEST Mascot in the SWAC,’ represents Alabama State— the Hornets. Butch represents Alabama A&M— the Bulldogs. Stinger does not have a real-life counterpart. Butch does.

The two costumed mascots have a love-hate relationships.

Few rivalries in college football match the intensity of the Magic City Classic. It has been played every year since 1924 and the two schools are only separated by two wins, total. A&M leads State 44-42-3 in the all-time series.

The entire weekend is a huge block party that features pep rallies, comedy shows, scholarship breakfasts, concerts, soirees, tailgating, alumni gatherings, a two-hour parade, and the ‘Battle of the Bands’ between AAMU’s Marching Maroon and White Band and ASU’s Mighty Marching Hornets. This year’s Magic City Classic brought more than 140,000 people to Birmingham for the weekend.

70,000 went into the stadium for the game. There was another 70,000 outside the gates.

Those who were in their seats for all four quarters got to witness a new twist to the rivalry.

While the players went at it on the field, the mascots went at it on the sideline. Stinger and Butch threw hands in the back of the end zone. They had to be separated after a lengthy, equally-matched scrap.

It started out in good fun but quickly turned serious once they went to be ground!

Stinger tried to bury the hatchet with Butch after the brawl and extended out his hand. Butch declined the handshake but was willing to accept a high-five. Stinger pulled it away at the last second… SIKE!

As of this writing, neither school has commented on the mascot fight. The last time something like this happened, both mascots were removed from their post. This one was not quite as serious.