SMU football The team will be heading to Charlotte, North Carolina for Saturday night’s Atlantic Coast Conference game against Clemson. But not everyone is on board with the latest system addition.
SMU announced earlier this week that the team’s mascot, Peruna, will make the trip with the team to support the Mustangs as they try to stay clear of conference play and secure a spot in the newly expanded state. The College Football Playoffs.
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) reacts to a touchdown pass to teammate Derrick McFall (20) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against California, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
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But People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) withdrew the letter to SMU President R. Gerald Turner on Friday urged the university to “rescind this senseless practice and end the school’s longstanding tradition of having a living mascot.”
“Ponies are prey animals that naturally panic and run away from frightening sounds, yet SMU plans to parade this pony as a toy in front of an arena full of screaming, loud fans and a band,” said PETA Executive Vice President Kathy Guillermo. in the statement.
“PETA urges SMU to consider Peruna IX’s opinion, cancel this appearance, and leave the horses alone by ending the school’s live mascot program.”
Southern Methodist Mustangs mascot Peruna runs across the field during a college football game between the Southern Methodist Mustangs and the Prairie View Am Panthers on Sept. 16, 2023, at Gerald Ford Stadium in Dallas, TX. (Christopher Leduc/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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In a post on X, PETA said “horses are living people, NOT props for your competitive game,” adding that exposing an animal to a packed crowd at Bank of America Stadium is “cruel and senseless.”
Despite the protest, Peruna IX will be in Charlotte on Saturday night.
Peruna IX, a colt, has been SMU’s mascot since 2011. SMU’s first live mascot appeared in 1932 and, for the first 60 years or so, Peruna would charge the field after SMU touchdowns. Peruna now leads the team onto the field and runs between quarters.
FILE – SMU Mustangs mascot Peruna runs on the field before a game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on Oct. 5, 2019. (Timothy Flores-USA TODAY Sports)
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