I love football season—when the smell of fresh-cut grass and crisp fall air mingles with the roar of the crowd. It’s a magical time, isn’t it? Friday Night Lights, cheering fans, the band playing fight songs, and… surprise mascots?
This particular Friday night was shaping up to be flawless. The bleachers were buzzing with excitement, our undefeated team was warming up on the field, and our trusty mascot—though wearing a costume so old it could probably vote—was already hyping up the student section. Perfect, right?
Well, not quite.
The First Call: “Did You See the New Mascot?”
As I sat in the stands soaking in the electric atmosphere, my phone buzzed. It was the high school principal, who was down on the sidelines and had a direct line of sight to me.
“Did you see the new mascot?” he asked, sounding baffled.
Wait—new mascot? I had just seen our regular mascot doing their thing, and as far as I knew, they were the only one on the field.
“Look toward the end of the sidelines,” the principal instructed.
I squinted, and there it was—a second mascot prancing along the parent section. And… what was it supposed to be, exactly? An animal? A mythical creature? A last-minute arts-and-crafts project gone horribly wrong? One thing was for sure—this costume was not part of any official plan.
The Second Call: “I Know Who It Is!”
Just as I was about to deal with this rogue addition to our football theatrics, my phone buzzed again. This time, it was the Board President.
“Did you see the new mascot?” she asked, as if I was missing the show of the century.
“Yes, do you know who that is?” I asked cautiously, already bracing for impact.
“I do, and I’ll handle it,” she said with an ominous tone.
And here’s where it gets really good. Apparently, one of her fellow board members had decided our student mascot wasn’t bringing enough pep to the crowd. So, like any rational adult with a wild streak, she called up her mom to whip up a costume in record time. Then, she put on the homemade creation, added a couple of drinks for courage, and boom—we had an unsanctioned mascot ready to steal the show.
What ensued was a comedy of errors. Our official mascot looked utterly confused about why another forest creature was encroaching on their turf. Meanwhile, the new mascot was doing a little too much, trying to fire up the home side with an enthusiasm that was equal parts entertaining and mildly concerning. You Can’t Make It Up!
Key Takeaways for Surviving Awkward Moments
Stay Cool When You’re in the Hot Seat
When you’re blindsided by something bizarre—like an unexpected guest in a DIY mascot suit—and you have no idea what’s happening, don’t panic. Take a deep breath. You might not know how it will end, but you can at least pretend you’re in control. Get the facts, stay calm, and maybe even laugh a little.
Address the Elephant (or Forest Creature) in the Room—Diplomatically
A board member—or any other important person—just made a bold decision, like debuting a costume they threw together in their basement 10 minutes ago. Awkward moments involving influential people require finesse. Acknowledge what’s happening, but don’t lose your cool. Humor helps, but so does diplomacy—choose wisely!
When in Doubt, Have a Backup Plan
The unauthorized mascot is turning the crowd into an unexpected frenzy, and things are spiraling. If you’re in charge, chaos might find you. Always have a go-to strategy for handling awkward situations. Whether it’s calling security or offering your new mascot a non-alcoholic beverage, you need a backup plan for when things go off-script.
Sometimes, You Just Have to Let It Play Out
The rogue mascot is now doing backflips in front of the home crowd. It’s happening, and there’s no stopping it. Some situations are beyond your control, and that’s okay. If there’s no immediate danger, sometimes the best (and only) course of action is to let things unfold, knowing you’ll handle it later and have an amazing story to tell. Just keep smiling and wave.
As the night wore on, our official mascot tried to keep the show rolling while the unapproved newbie bounced around the sidelines. By the end of the first half, though, the rogue mascot—perhaps realizing that mascot life wasn’t as glamorous as it seemed—quietly joined the rest of the parents in the stands.
Of course, it wasn’t just any overzealous fan; they had a player out on the field, too! Friday Night Lights never fails to bring the drama—both on and off the gridiron. You really can’t make this stuff up!
Jane