Person playing Oklahoma mascot fired for taunting rival fans
Oklahoma has fired an unidentified person who worked as a mascot during last weekend's men's basketball home game against rival Oklahoma State for unsportsmanlike conduct.
In a report attributed to sources, NewOK.com reported the person playing one of the costumed horse mascots 'Boomer' or 'Sooner' taunted Oklahoma State fans, including, Heather Ford, the wife of Cowboys' coach Travis Ford. Oklahoma won the game 82-65.
Generally several students alternate playing the school's mascots each schoolyear. Oklahoma issued a statement on the dismissal to KFOR-TV in Oklahoma CIty and the Tulsa World.
“The individual involved has been dismissed from the mascot program for unsportsmanlike behavior. The University of Oklahoma apologizes for this occurrence, which in no way reflects the standards of hospitality and sportsmanship of the University of Oklahoma.”
The mascot reportedly blocked the view of Oklahoma State fans and spilled popcorn on a group that included Heather Ford, despite being told multiple times not to return to the section where the OKlahoma State fans were seated.
This isn't the first time in recent years that a representative of one of the schools not directly involved in the game was disciplined for their actions during a game. An Oklahoma State spirit squad member was publicly reprimanded by the Big 12 Conference in 2013 when he appeared to attempt to trip an OKlahoma player who scored a touchdown.
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[Kyle Ringo is the assistant editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at kyle.ringo@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @KyleRingo
