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Bevo: The Most Famous Texas Longhorn Steer

by Jessica Weber | Sep 20, 2017

BEVOXV
Bevo XV

Football season is upon us and we are bringing you some #FunFacts about the University of Texas mascot Bevo. Last fall the University of Texas debuted Bevo XV, the 15th of his name. 

Bevo XV is a Texas Longhorn Steer and ​Hired Hand proudly serves over 300 Longhorn breeders across the nation. We provide them with websites for their Registered Longhorn herds.

Many of our customers have told us that they bought their first Longhorn because they were UT fans and "just had to have one." Some of these fans now have herds over 300 head!

Here are some items you may not have known about Bevo XV and Texas Longhorns in general:   

  • Bevo's real name is Sunrise Spur. The Sunrise in his name comes from the Ranch which has been tasked with breeding the next Bevo for quite some time - Sunrise Ranch in Liberty Hill, Texas, owned by John T. and Betty Baker. 
  • On September 3, 2016, a young 19-month-old Bevo XV was unveiled at a special 100-year anniversary event at the University of Texas at Austin, celebrating 100 years of a live Bevo mascot.
BEVO-XIV-AND-XV

Bevo XII (Left) and Bevo XV(Right)

  • Many fans think that Bevo's horns fall off every year, just like deer, and were disappointed in how small they were compared to the previous Bevo. But, not to worry! Longhorns do not shed their horns each year and Bevo XV's will continue to grow. Some of the widest horned Longhorn steers have horn spans over 10 feet in width! 
  • Bevo XIV retired after contracting bovine leukemia virus. He died on October 16, 2015.
  • Bevo was originally named "Bo" but came to be called Bevo soon after his first appearance at Texas' 1916 Thanksgiving Day game.
  • After the game, Ben Dyer the campus magazine editor declared, "His name is Bevo, and long may he reign!" Ben Dyer died before stating why he chose the name Bevo, but there are two theories: The first is that Bevo was named after an amber colored non-alcoholic beverage named Bevo (which, coincidentally, was introduced in 1916), and the other is that he added an "o" to the plural form of beef, beev.
  • A Longhorn steer was not the original mascot of the University of Texas. The original mascot was actually an American Pit Bull Terrier named "Pig".  
  • Bevo is a steer, meaning he has been castrated, as some believe that a bull would may be too dangerous in a crowded environment like a stadium. Steers horns also grow much longer than bulls due to the lack of testosterone once castrated. 
Bush
George W. Bush displays the "Hook'em Horns"

  • Bevo XIV attended George W. Bush's second inauguration in January 2005.
  • Bevo II once charged an SMU cheerleader, who had to defend himself with his megaphone. Bevo III escaped from his enclosure and ran amok across campus for 2 days. Bevo IV once attacked a parked car, while Bevo V broke loose and scattered the Baylor band. More recent Bevos have had a more peaceful tenure.
Bevo XIII and Bevo XIV
Bevo XIV (back) replaced Bevo XIII

  • Bevo XIII was the winningest Bevo in UT history and was replaced by youth grand champion Sunrise Studly, becoming Bevo XIV, at the September 4, 2004, football game versus the University of North Texas. It was the only time that two Bevos have ever appeared at the same football game. 

Here is a fun video the University posted about the history of Bevo https://youtu.be/yoGLGmbb80Y

Want to see more Longhorns or thinking of getting a Bevo of your own? Check out our customer page to see breeders all over the country. You can also visit our Search page to find Longhorns near you. 

Wikipedia contributors. "Bevo (mascot)." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 20 Aug. 2017. Web.
19 Sep. 2017
 
Hired Hand is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Texas, Sunrise Ranch or Bevo.

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