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Avon High mascot Big O has gone viral. Next up? He stars on Selection Sunday

dana hunsinger benbow, indianapolis star
·3 min read

AVON -- The inspiring story of Owen Carr ‒ Avon High School's humble, unassuming mascot who is blind in one eye and nearly deaf in the opposite ear ‒ has spread throughout the nation prompting sports teams and their mascots to clamor for a chance to meet Big O.

And it's not just run of the mill mascots reaching out. It is the mascots Owen has always looked up to.

After IndyStar's story on Owen ran Feb. 22 ‒ a piece we spent six months following ‒ things "started to take off pretty quick," said Kevin Carr, Owen's dad.

First, Owen was invited by Indiana Pacers mascot Boomer to hang with him at a game. That game also happened to be on Boomer's birthday, so Owen got to attend the party with pizza and, most importantly, clown around with some big-name NBA mascots.

Owen Carr is flanked by NBA mascots at Boomer's birthday party.
Owen Carr is flanked by NBA mascots at Boomer's birthday party.

Among them was Burnie of the Miami Heat, Benny the Bull of the Chicago Bulls, Champ of the Dallas Mavericks, Bango of the Milwaukee Bucks and Freddy of the Indiana Fever.

Not long after that, Blue of the Indianapolis Colts asked Owen to join him in an appearance at Avon High.

Avon High's oriole mascot Big O, played by Owen Carr, hangs out with Indianapolis Colts' Blue during a school appearance.
Avon High's oriole mascot Big O, played by Owen Carr, hangs out with Indianapolis Colts' Blue during a school appearance.

And Rowdie of the Indianapolis Indians spent three hours at the Carrs' home talking the trade and tricks of being an elite mascot and presenting Big O with his own Indians jersey.

This weekend, Owen's mascot stock will catapult even further when his story is featured on CBS Sports' "Inside College Basketball" prior to the Atlantic 10 basketball championship game on Selection Sunday.

Owen Carr gets a visit from Indianapolis Indians mascot Rowdie at his Avon home.
Owen Carr gets a visit from Indianapolis Indians mascot Rowdie at his Avon home.

After seeing IndyStar's story on Owen, Kevin was contacted by the network and, for the past couple of weeks, a crew has been in Avon filming Owen. The piece will air at about 12:30 p.m. ET Sunday on CBS.

Talk about a whirlwind for a guy who, due to his special needs, didn't always have an easy time making friends. But that is what has been magical about the journey, said Kelly Carr, Owen's mom. People are taking notice of the talents that exist in every human being.

Owen Carr admires his collection of sports pennants Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, inside his room in Avon, Indiana. At an early age, Carr fell in love with the color of teams, as well as their mascots. "It was a March Madness one year where they had the all the brackets and the mascots, you know, the college names and logos on the screen," Kevin Carr, Owen's father, said. "He started to tune into that."

Owen has been invited to a Clemson baseball game this month to meet The Tiger mascot. And, in what can only be called a dream come true, he has been invited to a Florida State football game this fall, his absolute favorite team in the world. That visit will include a trip to the ranch to meet the mascot horse Renegade and his rider Osceola.

Beyond the big things that have happened for Owen, he is helping others, too. He is touching people in ways they never expected, said Kelly. Families with children who have special needs are reaching out to the Carrs.

They are getting hope from Owen's story, hope that their child can also make a difference in this world, despite the obstacles they face.

And that has prompted the Carrs to dream even bigger for their son and all children with special needs.

Their goal after Owen graduates high school this spring is to begin a camp and training program for children, teens and even young adults with special needs to teach them how to put on a costume and bring joy to others. They will call it Miracle Mascot.

No surprise. They already have some big furry names on board ready to help.

Follow IndyStar sports reporter Dana Benbow on X: @DanaBenbow. Reach her via email: dbenbow@indystar.com.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Avon's mascot Big O goes viral. Next up? He stars on Selection Sunday