Goldy Gopher the beloved mascot of the University of Minnesota landed in some hot water this week. He officially joined the 2009-10 Bad Boyz Team after the University was forced to apologize for his behavior before the Minnesota-Penn State football game on Saturday.
The University of Minnesota apologized after Goldy poked fun at a Penn State football player who was praying. A video made before Saturday's game at State College, Pa., shows Penn State defensive end Jerome Hayes kneeling in prayer in the end zone.
Goldy Gopher kneels in front of Hayes, according to the video posted on YouTube. When Hayes stands up, so does Goldy. The mascot tries to make some contact, but Hayes ignores him and trots back to the bench.
According to the report, Hayes said he has seen video of the moment, and that he's not bothered by it -- although teammates have told him "the Gopher got the best of me."
Minnesota spokesman Dan Wolter says the stunt was "plainly a mistake" and the mascot didn't intend to offend anyone or trivialize religion.
"On behalf of Goldy and the University of Minnesota, I want to apologize to the Penn State player involved and anyone else who may have taken offense from this incident," Wolter said in a statement. "We have reiterated to Goldy the importance of exercising appropriate religious sensitivity in the future."
The University of Minnesota apologized after Goldy poked fun at a Penn State football player who was praying. A video made before Saturday's game at State College, Pa., shows Penn State defensive end Jerome Hayes kneeling in prayer in the end zone.
Goldy Gopher kneels in front of Hayes, according to the video posted on YouTube. When Hayes stands up, so does Goldy. The mascot tries to make some contact, but Hayes ignores him and trots back to the bench.
According to the report, Hayes said he has seen video of the moment, and that he's not bothered by it -- although teammates have told him "the Gopher got the best of me."
Minnesota spokesman Dan Wolter says the stunt was "plainly a mistake" and the mascot didn't intend to offend anyone or trivialize religion.
"On behalf of Goldy and the University of Minnesota, I want to apologize to the Penn State player involved and anyone else who may have taken offense from this incident," Wolter said in a statement. "We have reiterated to Goldy the importance of exercising appropriate religious sensitivity in the future."
4 comments:
They make it sound like they called Goldy into the office rather than the kid who plays Goldy. Come to think of it, that would've been awesome. Goldy gets called in, still wearing his football uniform. They ask him questions, but since he's Goldy, he doesn't talk. The only thing he does is start to cry and then use his tail to wipe away the tears.
Good thing that wasn't Mohammad Finley that Goldy was poking fun at. He probably would have sliced off Goldy's head.
I wonder if "Religious Sensitivity Training" will be on the Agenda of Mascot Boot Camp this Spring.
Dave Raymond - "OK. Now were going to do a little role playing. Goldy why don't you stand up and be the mascot and Boone come on up here and pray."
D.R. - "Goldy don't mock Boone while he's praying. Goldy! Goldy, stop it! That's not funny Goldy."
D. R. - "Goldy don't make me break the genital cuff?"
D.R. - "That's better."
It is rather funny how in the few articles I have read, there is no reference to the name of the student.
Goldy is an animatronic robot maybe?
Seems like such technology could be better used than on a shit-talking rodent from the upper midwest.
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