Griff benched by NCAA: Fans rally for Drake's beloved mascot to join March Madness fun
The Drake University men's basketball team is going dancing this week in the first round of the NCAA tournament, but they'll be traveling to Wichita without one important member of their squad.
Griff II, the Bulldogs' live bulldog mascot, will be forced to stay back in Des Moines because the NCAA only allows live mascots at the Final Four.
Griff, a six-year-old English bulldog, has served as Drake's mascot since July 2020. He stole the hearts of basketball fans everywhere earlier this month when he was heavily featured on TV coverage of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament in St. Louis.
The TV cameras could not get enough of Griff's wrinkly face, underbite, droopy jowls and lolling tongue as he snoozed in a courtside chair. And, of course, his cosplay as an actual basketball was a sight to see.
Griff has proven to be more than just a mascot — he's a key member of the Bulldog team. In the last three years, since Griff was first allowed to be inside the arena for Arch Madness, Drake is 9-0, clinching back-to-back-to-back conference tournament championships.
The basketball team has also earned a spot in the NCAA tournament each of the last three years, but Griff has never been able to attend.
Watch: Griff II is undefeated at Arch Madness
To battle this great injustice, some to urge the NCAA to revise its rules and allow live mascots in the earlier rounds of the tournament.
Some signors of the petition have also voiced their support for Griff, calling him the "heart and soul" of the Drake team and saying he deserves to be on sport's biggest stage. Others comment that the pup certainly wouldn't be a nuisance because he "moves like syrup and sleeps most of the day."
Drake is an 11-seed in the West region. It will face No. 6-seed Missouri in Wichita in the opening round at 6:35 p.m. CT on Thursday. The game will air on truTV and livestream on Max.
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