Bowl mascots have really stepped up their game this postseason.
In the latest example of a bowl sponsor finding a clever way to improve their visibility, the Cheez-It mascot worked its way into a post-game interview Monday.
Tennessee shut out Iowa, 35-0, in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. In the post-game TV interview, ESPN’s Kayla Burton caught up with winning head coach Josh Heupel and Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
As Burton talked to Heupel, there was a slight commotion in the background and — why yes, that is the Cheez-It mascot, “Ched-Z,” quietly slipping a box of the snack food between the coach and quarterback.
Burton grabbed the box and noted, “And lastly, because we have to hold the Cheez-Its up,” before finishing her interview.
Mission complete, Ched-Z slowly sidestepped out of camera view.
It was just the latest example of a bowl mascot giving their sponsor more leverage from those sponsorship dollars. The Pop-Tarts mascot really set a high bar for his brethren. After Kansas State won the Dec. 28 Pop-Tarts Bowl, the mascot popped itself in an enormous toaster and, through some magical process, came out below, ready for the celebrating Wildcats to eat.
Ched-Z knew better than to sacrifice himself to the winning team. Earlier in the day, the mascot held up a sign reading, “Non-Edible Mascot.”
And of course, after the Volunteers’ big win, Heupel got Cheez-Its dumped on him.
Fans seemed to think the Cheez-It mascot got the sponsorship message across without being obtrusive.
[Photo Credit: ESPN/ABC]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.