It's been just a few weeks since the New Orleans Pelicans' mascot, Pierre, underwent "surgery" to alter its scary appearance and there's already a new contender for the country's most terrifying mascot.
Bradley University in Peoria, Ill., recently unveiled "Kaboom" the gargoyle (below), which is the school's first mascot since 2000. Bradley's teams will still be known as the Braves, but that name has been deemed politically incorrect and the school has gone in a new direction with its mascot.
While Kaboom does have some meaning -- it was inspired by a gargoyle statue on Bradley's campus -- he is still taking a beating in the press and among some students.
Kaboom has been already called "horrid" and "borderline terrifying."
The gargoyle is named for the call made famous by longtime Bradley announcer Dave Snell. The school's athletic director, Dr. Michael Cross, said that while Kaboom may not be the most lovable mascot, he does have a certain appeal.
“It fits in the sweet spot between powerful, fierce, intimidating and approachable,” Cross told the Peoria Journal-Star. “I don’t know if I’d use the word cuddly, because it’s a rock, when it’s all said and done, but it’s something that will work very well in different settings.”
Below is Kaboom's introductory video, and after watching you can decide for yourself how he'd fare against Pierre in a beauty contest.
