Sports media laughs at viral ‘meme’ shot of sad Clemson Tigers mascot

The NCAA Tournament just got started and we may already have the greatest meme of the entire event, thanks to a viral moment and a sad mascot.

The No. 5 Clemson Tigers were getting absolutely crushed by 12-seed McNeese midway through the second half. After the Cowboys hit a 3-pointer to go up 51-29, the truTV broadcast cut to a shot of the Tigers mascot. The mascot sat shaking his head.

THIS IS MARCH! #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/sTZet3LBQa https://t.co/KA2PSK6Wx2

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 20, 2025

Moments don’t get any more meme-able than that one, and the video and image quickly made the rounds on social media, with some sports media personalities getting a big laugh.

“I realized I could play a million games but I’d still never be satisfied. Maybe what I really want is to BE one of these Clemson Tigers” https://t.co/SM9WqgpyQe

— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) March 20, 2025

McNeese State hits another 3 and the camera cuts immediately to Clemson’s mascot shaking his head. pic.twitter.com/tZwb3jZCrT

— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) March 20, 2025

“Okay, our team is getting blown out. But as long as I don’t end up on TV and become one of those Twitter memes, it won’t be all bad.”

– person in the Clemson Tiger mascot costume…maybepic.twitter.com/LCgsKSDatg

— Tim Bielik (@timbielik) March 20, 2025

Of course, the popular Art But Make it Sports account had something to say.

(Sad) Tiger, by Jean-Léon Gérôme, late 19th c pic.twitter.com/xUOV8zSW7M

— ArtButMakeItSports (@ArtButSports) March 20, 2025

Clemson rallied but lost, 69-67, which was probably more painful for their poor mascot than losing a blowout. The mascot, nicknamed “The Tiger” (no points for creativity there) has certainly seen better days.

And the award 🏆 for “Best Mascot” goes to… the #Tiger! 👏 pic.twitter.com/AWwsMhEKOV

— Clemson University (@ClemsonUniv) March 5, 2018