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Mask-to-mask Big Al proves elephants shouldn't climb trees
In this space each week CNNSI.com will feature an exclusive one-on-one interview with some of college football's most famous mascots. Purdue Pete, the legendary athletic mascot from Purdue University, recently chatted with Big Al from the University of Alabama for this hard-hitting, mask-to-trunk interview. Purdue Pete: With us this week on CNNSI.com, one of the most decorated mascots on the national level, Big Al from the University of Alabama. Big Al, it's good to have you here. Big Al: It is good to be here, Pete. Congratulations on your team's big win over Michigan State. Purdue Pete: Thanks. It was homecoming so I had a chance see the current Purdue Pete in action. He did a great job. As did Sparty. It was good to see him again after interviewing him for this section a few weeks ago. Big Al: I read that article. It was great. I want to know why I wasn't involved with the Buffest Mascot competition. Purdue Pete: You eat too many peanuts. Well, I had a chance to see you perform a few times on TV. One of my favorites was the Florida game this year when you upset the Gators in The Swamp. Big Al: That was a great game. The whole experience was just incredible. It was one of my favorite athletic experiences since that LSU game when we came from behind to beat the Tigers last year. Purdue Pete: We have some serious Florida and LSU alumni in our office, I'm sure they'll be glad to read that. Big Al: That win showed that Alabama football is back to what Alabama football is all about -- a tradition of winning. Plus beating Florida is always fun. I love to see Steve Spurrier throw his hat in frustration. Purdue Pete: What was it like being in The Swamp as a visitor? Big Al: To be honest with you, it really wasn't all that bad. The fans got a little rowdy in the fourth quarter when things got tight. But for the most part they were very friendly. Purdue Pete: Where is the toughest place to play? Big Al: I would have to say Tennessee and LSU. Their fans can be rude and crude. I know you can't generalize about all fans from the actions of a few, but there are some fans that are just plain obnoxious at those schools. Plus, most of the LSU games are at night. So their fans have a little extra time to get ... ah .. prepared for the game ... if you know what I mean. Purdue Pete: Ah, yes. Big Al: But don't underestimate playing at Alabama. We made some changes to improve the stadium. And the atmosphere is just electric. It is definitely one of the best places to play in the country -- if you're on the Alabama side of the field. Purdue Pete: You talked about playing against Tennessee. You're going up against the Vols this weekend. Are you ready for a big battle with Smokey? Big Al: Believe it or not, Smokey and I are really good friends. We just go out on the field and make it our playground. Smokey's an excellent sportsman. There isn't any bad blood between us. In fact, Smokey made a trip down to Tuscaloosa to help me with a skit I was putting on. We get along really well. Now Aubie - that's another story. Purdue Pete: You're talking about the tiger from Auburn, right? Big Al: Yup. The rivalry between the two schools is so intense, that they make us sign a contract that we both can't cross the 35-yard line on our respective sides of the field. Purdue Pete: Wow. Does the administration think you guys will just destroy each other? Big Al: I think it is part that. Also, I think they're afraid the fans would get too serious and start a dangerous situation. I think it is a good idea. Besides, Big Al's a lover, not a fighter. Purdue Pete: Would you say the Alabama-Auburn rivalry is one of the most fierce in college football? Big Al: Absolutely. Relationships have been destroyed because the two people can't agree on who they cheer for. As soon as you're born, they decide what gender you are and then if you're an Alabama or Auburn fan. Purdue Pete: I guess the answer to that second question was pretty easy to determine for you. Big Al: Without a doubt. And it seems that people want to find out the answer to the gender question as well. Purdue Pete: I just assumed you were a male with the name Big Al. I wouldn't want to name my daughter that. Big Al: That's true. I am a male elephant. Purdue Pete: We'll just take your word for it. So are you a sex symbol on campus? Big Al: At the risk of sounding immodest, the girls love me. I am such a flirt. Sometimes at games I walk around in these baggy boxer shorts. Then I rip them off like a professional wrestler to show a pair of bikini bottoms on under them. Most of my bikinis have the word "yell" on the back. The girls love it. Purdue Pete: So the answer to the infamous boxers or briefs question for you is - both? Big Al: Exactly. The briefs are a fairly new thing. I have two silk pairs -- one red and one black. Then I have one that says "The Rock" on the back -- like the professional wrestler. Purdue Pete: Speaking of professional wrestling, I've been meaning to ask you something. Big Al: Oh no. Purdue Pete: I was flipping channels a while ago -- gosh, it must have been about a year ago -- and I came across one of those professional wrestling shows. I could have sworn I saw security pinning you down on the mat and throwing you not only out of the ring, but out of the arena. It looked like you sneaked into the show. Now I know there are a lot of choreographed acts in professional wrestling, but this didn't look staged. What happened? Big Al: Ah ..... (even his trunk begins to blush) .... No comment. Purdue Pete: OK ... obviously we've struck a sensitive issue. I've also seen on TV at some football games where these guys with elephant masks on their heads holding toilet paper and a box of detergent. What's up with that? Big Al: Our fans are the greatest. The detergent is a box of Tide. So with the roll of toilet paper it is a prop for their "Roll Tide" cheer. They're great. Purdue Pete: How do kids like Big Al? Big Al: Kids love Big Al. I get a lot of fan mail where kids write in to tell me they go to the games just to see me. I have to be careful though. My eyesight is not too good. Just the other day I was at this elementary school and this 6-year-old kid comes up behind me. Well, I didn't see him there, so I plowed right into him. It was such a hard hit I knocked the poor little kid out cold. I felt pretty bad. He was OK, though. Purdue Pete: Anything else weird happen to you? Big Al: I was climbing this tree at a party of a booster because they had this tree house and the kids wanted me to play. Purdue Pete: I didn't know elephants could climb trees. Big Al: Me neither. Well, I probably shouldn't after what happened. I was trying to slide down this poll, you know, like a fireman? Purdue Pete: Right Big Al: And to slide down, I had to go in-between these two branches. Well, my head was too big and I got stuck in between the two branches. So I'm in front of these kids hanging by my head from this tree with my legs swinging, trying to get down. Purdue Pete: Oh, boy. Big Al: The kids just kept laughing. But it took five adults to push me though to get me out. Purdue Pete: Be careful next time. Again, lay off the peanuts. Big Al: I will. Purdue Pete: Well, We have to get going, but thank you for spending time with us. Big Al: It's been fun. Good luck this weekend against Penn State. Purdue Pete: Thanks. Best of luck at home with Tennessee. I hope you and Smokey have fun. Big Al: We will. Thanks Pete. Roll Tide! |
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