SMU football The team will travel to Charlotte. North Carolina with reinforcements for the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game against Clemson on Saturday night. But not everyone is on board with the latest additions to the roster.
SMU announced earlier this week that Peruna The team mascot will travel with the team to support the Mustangs as they strive to maintain perfection through conference play and secure a spot in the newly expanded expansion. 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. 1, Aug. 30, 2024, at Dall. lus (AP Photo/LM Otero)
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But People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) sent a letter to SMU President R. Gerald Turner on Friday. By calling on the university “Cancel this senseless stunt. and ending the school’s age-old tradition of having a living mascot.”
“Horses are prey animals with an instinct to panic and flee from startling noises, but SMU plans to parade the pony like a toy in front of a stadium filled with screaming fans, noisemakers and band,” PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo said in a statement.
“PETA is calling on SMU to consider Peruna IX’s view of canceling this appearance. And let the ponies rest in peace by ending the school’s live mascot program.”
Peruna, the Southern Methodist Mustangs mascot, runs across the field during a college football game between the Southern Methodist Mustangs and Prairie View Am Panthers on September 9, September 16, 2023 at Gerald Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas. KS (Christopher Leduc/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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In a post on X PETA said, “Horses are living things. Not a prop for your championship game,” adding that exposing the animal to a packed crowd at Bank of America Stadium was “cruel and senseless.”
Despite protests, Peruna IX will be in Charlotte on Saturday night.
Peruna IX, a pony, has been SMU’s mascot since 2011. SMU’s first living mascot appeared in 1932, and for the first 60 years or so, Peruna would charge the field after every SMU touchdown. Peruna led the team onto the field and ran during the quarter.
FILE – Peruna, mascot of the SMU Mustangs, runs on the field before a game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on Oct. 10. Sept. 5, 2019. (Timothy Flores-USA Today Sports)
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