Home Ziharkah8

5 Shocking Ways Pudge The Cat Took Over College Football In 2025 (And What He's Doing Now)

• minute read
Contents

Pudge the Cat is not just another internet-famous feline; as of late 2025, he is a bona fide college football sensation who completely redefined the concept of a team mascot. This three-year-old shorthair Persian cat, with his distinctive smushy face and docile nature, became the unlikely face of the Bowling Green State University (BGSU) Falcons, catapulting his owner and the entire football program into the national spotlight during the 2025 season. His story is a fresh, unique blend of sports, social media virality, and the enduring charm of a cute animal.

The rise of Pudge from a simple house pet to a 'Mas-cat' with his own merchandise and national news features is one of the most heartwarming and financially successful animal stories of the year. This article dives into the complete biography of the famous cat and the five biggest ways he dominated the college football world throughout 2025, right up to his recent "graduation" from Bowling Green in December 2025.

Pudge The Cat: Complete Biography and Profile

Pudge the Cat is a viral internet star whose fame is intrinsically linked to the Bowling Green State University (BGSU) football team.

  • Name: Pudge the Cat
  • Breed: Shorthair Persian
  • Age: 3 years old (as of 2025)
  • Owner: George Carlson, a long snapper for the BGSU Falcons football team
  • Rise to Fame: Began in mid-August 2025 when owner George Carlson brought him into the BGSU locker room to lift spirits after a player's knee injury. A video of him being held up went instantly viral, leading to his adoption as the unofficial team "Mas-cat."
  • Social Media Handle: @UnclePudgy (Instagram)
  • Current Status: Has "graduated" from Bowling Green in December 2025, following his owner George Carlson's final season. He continues to be a massive social media personality.
  • Personality: Described as docile, content with food and a soft place to nap, and reportedly unaware of his own fame, according to his owner. He is also noted for being a source of comfort for Carlson after his mother passed away.

5 Ways Pudge The Cat Became The Biggest Story In College Football 2025

Pudge’s journey from a comforting pet to a national celebrity was rapid, taking place almost entirely within the 2025 college football season. His influence went far beyond a simple viral video, generating real-world attention, merchandise, and even controversy.

1. The Viral Locker Room Moment That Launched a Legend

Pudge's fame exploded in mid-August 2025 following a simple, heartfelt gesture. After a BGSU football player suffered a knee injury, long snapper George Carlson decided to bring his cat, Pudge, into the locker room to help boost team morale. A video of Pudge being held aloft for the team quickly circulated on social media, instantly turning him into a viral sensation. The team's receiver, Finn Hogan, was instrumental in sharing the initial videos that captured the hearts of fans across the country. This organic, emotional moment was the catalyst for his entire career as the BGSU "Mas-cat," showing how a small act of kindness can lead to massive internet fame.

2. Securing Lucrative NIL Deals and Custom Merchandise

In the era of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, Pudge the Cat proved that the rules apply to charismatic animals as well. Pudge's viral status quickly translated into real-world revenue through custom merchandise and official NIL deals. This included a custom BGSU Falcons jersey and a limited-edition bobblehead. The bobblehead, produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, was a limited run of 2,025 figures, memorializing his breakout year. This merchandise frenzy cemented Pudge’s status as a genuine financial entity, generating buzz and revenue for the team and his owner.

3. Becoming The Unofficial Mas-Cat of BGSU Football

Pudge was quickly embraced as the unofficial mascot—or "Mas-cat"—of the Bowling Green State University football program. His presence was so significant that the team had actual meetings about how to manage the phenomenon, integrating him into the team’s public image. Pudge’s appearances, particularly when he was raised up at games, caused fans to "go crazy," creating a unique and electric atmosphere at BGSU events. This level of integration is nearly unprecedented for a non-traditional mascot, proving the cat's power to unify the student body and attract national attention to the Mid-American Conference (MAC) team.

4. Attracting National Media Attention and PETA's Response

Pudge's fame was not confined to campus; he was featured by national news and major sports outlets throughout 2025, bringing an unexpected spotlight to BGSU. The level of "feline frenzy" surrounding Pudge was so intense that it even prompted a response from the animal rights organization PETA. In September 2025, PETA issued a plea to the university, expressing concern that the frenzy and buzz Pudge was generating on social media could lead other people to purchase or adopt Persian cats, which they argue may suffer from health issues due to breeding. This controversy, while a serious animal welfare concern, underscores just how significant Pudge’s cultural impact became in a short period.

5. The Heartwarming Personal Story of George Carlson

Beyond the bobbleheads and viral videos, the true heart of the Pudge story lies with his owner, George Carlson. Carlson revealed that Pudge was a source of great comfort for him after his mother passed away the previous year. He researched docile cat breeds, choosing the Persian for its calm temperament, specifically to have a companion. Pudge's fame provided a positive capstone to Carlson’s final year as a long snapper at BGSU, with Carlson noting that Pudge has taken him on "quite the journey with photoshoots, interviews and social media exposure." Pudge’s role as a therapeutic companion who accidentally became a national star is a powerful reminder of the deep bond between pets and their owners.

Pudge The Cat's Enduring Legacy Post-Graduation

With George Carlson completing his final season, Pudge the Cat symbolically "graduated" from Bowling Green in December 2025. This transition marks the end of his daily locker room appearances but certainly not the end of his career as an internet celebrity.

The legacy of Pudge the Cat is multifaceted. He successfully leveraged the modern NIL landscape to create a unique brand, proving that non-human entities can be powerful marketing assets in college sports. He also brought a tremendous amount of positive, wholesome attention to the BGSU football program, which is a significant win for a MAC team.

Fans can continue to follow Pudge's life and adventures through his active Instagram account, @UnclePudgy. While his time as the BGSU Mas-cat has concluded, his fame as the smushy-faced Persian who took over college football in 2025 is secure. His story is a perfect example of how the internet can turn a simple, kind gesture into a global phenomenon, leaving behind a trail of custom jerseys and limited-edition bobbleheads.

5 Shocking Ways Pudge The Cat Took Over College Football In 2025 (And What He's Doing Now)
pudge the cat
pudge the cat

Detail Author:

  • Name : Dr. Clarissa Windler
  • Username : ricky.ullrich
  • Email : borer.camylle@yahoo.com
  • Birthdate : 2002-07-28
  • Address : 605 Grant Ridge O'Keefemouth, FL 91833
  • Phone : +12812770602
  • Company : Fay-Cruickshank
  • Job : Umpire and Referee
  • Bio : Inventore molestiae voluptates id cupiditate dolorum dolor. Natus ut blanditiis consequatur est dignissimos recusandae. Repudiandae quibusdam totam facilis sint et commodi. Quam nobis aut voluptas.

Socials

tiktok:

facebook:

linkedin:

Random Posts