Rowdy (Dallas Cowboys)



Rowdy is the official mascot of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. He's been the team's mascot since 1996. His tenure overlapped with that of Pro Football Hall of Famer, Crazy Ray's, who was the unofficial mascot of the Cowboys from 1962 until his death in 2007 following the 2006 season. Rowdy takes part in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, The Salvation Army, The Rise School of Dallas, Special Olympics, retirement centers, hospitals, schools, birthday parties, grand openings, Minor League Baseball games around the country, conventions, parades, grocery store promotions, NBA games, weddings and sometimes will take a visit to the crowd during halftime. He has even been to the Pro Bowl in 1999 and 2001. He also took part in TV events, which includes ESPN's Alumni Beach Bowl, ABC's Battle of the Gridiron and the Special Olympics.

In 1996 Rowdy jumped on the scene as the Official Mascot of the Dallas Cowboys. As the Ambassador of the Dallas Cowboys, Rowdy's job includes, but is not limited to creating game day enthusiasm at Texas Stadium. He does this at home games by driving in on his four-wheeler, tossing t-shirts into the stands, using signs like "Let's Go Cowboys," and mocking the opponents. Rowdy participates at every home game and selected away games.

At Training Camp, Rowdy's Kid Zone, where he plays with the kids at camp. He takes the kids through obstacle courses and has them chant for their favorite Cowboys player during practice. Kids also visit the inflatable Cowboys Experience, which includes a bouncy house, slide, football toss, and field goal kick. Rowdy takes pride in squirting the kids with water guns, and anyone who steps in his way like players, coaches, TV crews, and especially fans that come out to watch the Cowboys practice at camp. Fans enjoy the ice-cold water because it cools them down when it's 100 plus degrees, so as you can imagine, Rowdy is a popular Cowboy at camp.

Rowdy is proud to represent the Cowboys each year in selected cities for the annual Mascot convention. At this event the NFL Mascots compare and share ideas to help continue mascot antics and ways to market mascot awareness. Last year it was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where ESPN did a documentary of the mascots that will be featured on ESPN's Under The Helmet.

In August 2009, Ted Ovletrea who played the character, was notified that the team was letting him go. Cowboys spokesman Brett Daniels said the character of Rowdy is still part of the team, but officials are evaluating his role on game days. Rowdy was not seen on game days during the 2009-10 season.