5 Shocking Ways Pudge The Cat Became College Football's Unofficial Mascot In 2025

As of December 2025, the biggest star in college football isn't a Heisman-contending quarterback or a legendary coach—it’s a three-year-old Exotic Shorthair Persian cat named Pudge. This scrunchy-faced feline, the unofficial "Mas-cat" of the Bowling Green State University (BGSU) Falcons, has completely redefined the meaning of a team mascot, transforming from a simple pet to a viral marketing phenomenon with his own Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) empire. The latest news confirms his enduring fame, with the unveiling of his first-ever official bobblehead, cementing his place in sports and internet history. Pudge’s meteoric rise is a fascinating case study in modern celebrity, blending the quirky world of internet-famous pets with the passionate, high-stakes environment of Division I college football. His owner, BGSU long snapper George Carlson, initially brought Pudge into the locker room as a mood booster, but the cat's unique charm and photogenic presence quickly captured the hearts of millions online, turning the Bowling Green Falcons into one of the most talked-about programs in the nation.

The Biography of Bowling Green's Feline Superstar

Pudge the Cat, the viral sensation who has taken the college football world by storm, is more than just a cute face. His story is intrinsically linked to his owner and the Bowling Green State University football program.

• Full Name: Pudge the Cat
• Species/Breed: Exotic Shorthair Persian Cat
• Age: Approximately 3 years old (as of late 2025)
• Owner: George Carlson, Long Snapper for the BGSU Falcons Football Team
• Home Base: Bowling Green, Ohio (Bowling Green State University)
• Official Title: Unofficial Mascot / "Mas-cat" of the BGSU Falcons
• Claim to Fame: Viral social media star, sideline fixture at BGSU home games, NIL deal recipient, and subject of the first-ever Pudge the Cat bobblehead.
• Personality: Known for his calm demeanor, expressive face, and willingness to pose for selfies with fans at tailgate parties.

5 Ways Pudge the Cat Changed College Football Forever

Pudge's impact goes far beyond simple team morale. He has become a cultural icon, generating unprecedented buzz and revenue for the Bowling Green State University athletic department. His story represents a significant shift in how college sports teams leverage social media and viral marketing.

1. The Unofficial Mascot Who Outshines the Official One

Bowling Green State University’s official mascot is Freddy the Falcon, but in the eyes of the internet and a growing legion of fans, Pudge is the true face of the program. His arrival in the locker room was initially a simple gesture: owner George Carlson brought him in after a teammate suffered a knee injury, hoping to lift spirits. The presence of the docile, scrunchy-faced Persian cat proved to be the perfect antidote to team stress.

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What started as internal team bonding quickly spilled onto social media. Videos of Pudge lounging on equipment, receiving pets from players, and even watching film with the team went instantly viral. This organic, authentic content resonated with a broad audience far beyond the typical college football fan base, attracting cat lovers and casual observers alike. Pudge’s fame is a testament to the power of genuine, unscripted moments in an era of highly polished marketing. His game-day appearances, where he is often held up like Simba from *The Lion King* for the "Simba cam," have become a staple of the BGSU experience.

2. Securing a Groundbreaking NIL Deal and Merchandising Empire

In the new era of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in college sports, Pudge the Cat is an unlikely, yet powerful, beneficiary. While human athletes sign deals for endorsements, Pudge has leveraged his internet fame into tangible commercial success. The BGSU football program has fully embraced the "Mas-cat" as a key marketing asset, sharing weekly images and videos of him across all their social media platforms before games.

The most concrete evidence of his commercial power came in late 2025 with the announcement and unveiling of the first-ever Pudge the Cat bobblehead. This collaboration with the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum officially recognized his status as the "unofficial mascot of the 2025 Bowling Green Falcons football team." The bobblehead, featuring Pudge in a miniature Falcons jersey, became an instant collector's item, generating revenue and national press for the university. This move demonstrated that even non-human entities with sufficient viral fame can participate in the NIL economy, a truly groundbreaking development.

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3. Elevating the BGSU Brand to National Prominence

Before Pudge, Bowling Green State University, a Mid-American Conference (MAC) school, often struggled for national media attention outside of their own region. Pudge changed that overnight. His viral success led to features on national news and sports outlets, including ESPN and CBS News. When a cat becomes the subject of a segment on College GameDay, you know you’ve reached a new level of cultural relevance.

The "Pudge Effect" has provided BGSU with invaluable, free viral marketing. Every mention of Pudge is a mention of the Bowling Green Falcons. This exposure attracts new fans—the "cat and pigskin" demographic—who might never have otherwise paid attention to the MAC conference or the university itself. It’s a powerful example of how an authentic, feel-good story can cut through the noise of traditional sports reporting and create a massive, positive brand association. The team’s social media engagement spiked dramatically, turning the football program into a must-follow account for fans of celebrity cats and college sports alike.

Understanding Pudge's Internet Fame and The Cat Celebrity Landscape

Pudge the Cat is not the first feline to achieve internet stardom, but his path is unique. To fully appreciate his fame, it’s important to distinguish him from other famous internet cats and clarify a common point of confusion.

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The Two Pudge Cats: A Crucial Distinction

When searching for "Pudge the Cat," results often show two distinct felines. The original internet celebrity Pudge, owned by Kady Lone, is a female cat from the Twin Cities who became famous for her distinct mustache-like markings. Her fame dates back several years, and her owner even quit her job to manage the cat's full-time career.

The Bowling Green Pudge, however, is a male Exotic Shorthair whose fame is tied specifically to college football and his owner, George Carlson. While both share the name and a general online celebrity status, the BGSU Pudge's narrative is deeply rooted in the world of sports, NIL deals, and the university experience. This distinction is key to understanding his fresh and unique place in the celebrity cat pantheon.

A New Kind of Celebrity Cat

Unlike his predecessors—cats like Grumpy Cat (Tardar Sauce), whose fame stemmed from a perpetual frown, or Lil BUB, known for her unique genetic features—Pudge’s celebrity is relational. He is a star because of his association with a team and a sport. He is the ultimate locker room cat, symbolizing good luck, team unity, and a much-needed dose of wholesome content in a competitive environment.

His fame is less about a single, meme-worthy photo and more about a consistent, heartwarming narrative. He represents a new wave of celebrity pets whose careers are managed through modern platforms like TikTok and Instagram, leveraging short-form video content and the authenticity of the behind-the-scenes world of college athletics. The ability of the BGSU long snapper to share his pet’s life so openly allowed Pudge to connect with a global audience, proving that sometimes, the most effective marketing is simply the most adorable.