ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 02: Georgia Bulldogs mascot, Hairy Dawg greets UGA X prior to the SEC Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 02, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Todd Kirkland/Getty ImagesIn a tweet made by @UGAAthletics on Tuesday morning, they announced that retired UGA mascot, Uga X, had passed away. The post says Uga X, who was known as Que, passed away in his sleep.
Retired Mascot - Uga X
Uga X was born on May 27, 2013. He began his run as the UGA mascot on November 21, 2015. His official "collaring" ceremony was at the Georgia-Georgia Southern football game. After the 2022 season, Que retired. But during his time as a Georgia Bulldog mascot, Que became the most decorated of them all. His record was 91-18. In addition, he was mascot when the Dawgs won two SEC titles and the 2021 and 2022 College Football Playoff national championships. And he also made seven New Year's bowl appearances.
Check out these highlights from his winning tenure as the UGA mascot:
Paying Tribute To Uga X
Many UGA fans responded to the photo and video tweets made in Uga X's honor. Responses included: "May the legend rest in peace", "Sleep well King", and "The very best boy, DGD forever".
History of UGA Mascot
The University of Georgia's mascot, Uga, has become the nation's most well-known mascot in college football. The very first Uga stepped on campus in Athens, Georgia in 1956. Each dog has come from a line of pure white English bulldogs that have been owned by the Frank W. "Sonny" Seiler family out of Savannah.
The name "Uga" was given to the mascot by William Young from Columbus. Young was a law school classmate of "Sonny" Seiler. The mascot is often shown with a spiked collar. And each mascot is awarded a varsity letter. The varsity letter is given as a plaque. These plaques are exactly like the ones given to Georgia Bulldog athletes who letter in their sport.
Another interesting fact: UGA's mascots are buried with the stadium when they pass away. According to the Pittsburgh Press, UGA is the only major college to do this.
The first eight Uga's are buried in marble vaults near the main gate. Each mascot has bronze epitaphs and get flowers placed on their graves ahead of each home game.
The jerseys sported by the mascots are custom made from the same material as the players' jerseys. This has been a tradition for the past 20 years.
When the team plays at home, you'll often see the latest mascot in his permanent air conditioned doghouse next to the cheerleaders. This special spot is much needed during the Georgia heat.
The Newest Mascot - Uga XI
The latest mascot for UGA is Uga XI, also known as "Boom." At 10 months old, Boom had his ceremonial "collaring" during pregame at the 2023 G-Day Game.
He's got some pretty big shoes to fill, following Uga X's winning reign.
Learn more about current and past UGA mascots HERE.
More Uga Pictures
