Oregon's mascot gets new look after losing head last week

Griffin Goodwyn

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Oregon's mascot gets new look after losing head last week image

A quick Google search will tell you that the number one rule about performing in a mascot costume is to not speak. But another rule that should be near the top of the list of mascot "do nots" is revealing your identity — and that means never losing your head.

Both these rules help mascots stay in character and maintain the illusion that they are the embodiment of team spirit, rather than people sweating profusely under a thick costume. Breaking one, or both, of the rules compromises that illusion.

Puddles, the mascot for the Oregon Ducks' sports teams, committed the second cardinal sin of mascot performances during a football game last week. Puddles' entourage temporarily changed its wardrobe ahead of the next one to ensure the mistake didn't happen again.

Puddles dresses up like Labubu ahead of Oregon-Oklahoma State game

Puddles has an unfortunate recent history of having its head fall off during pregame festivities at Oregon football games. In 2023, the mascot lost its head while dressed in a cowboy hat and a pair of sunglasses — seemingly to mock Colorado head coach Deion Sanders — ahead of the Ducks' regular-season matchup against the Buffaloes.

Puddles met a similar fate in Oregon's 2025 season opener against Montana State, as it tripped and fell, causing its head to roll away, while running onto the field at Autzen Stadium.

The mascot's wardrobe debacle didn't affect the game's result, as the Ducks went on to win 59-13. But it prompted Oregon's mascot team to find a creative solution before the next football game one week later.

What was that solution? Add another layer to Puddles' costume, put some spiky teeth under his beak and make it look like a Labubu.

Labubus — collectible plush toys created by Kaising Lung, an illustrator and toy designer based in Hong Kong — have broken into the pop culture mainstream and appear to be almost everywhere now. They have only recently broken into the sports world after tennis star Naomi Osaka brought customized Labubu figurines to each of her matches at the U.S. Open.

Not only did the stunt create plenty of social media buzz, but it also did exactly what it was intended to do. Puddles didn't lose his head, and the Ducks defeated the Cowboys in a 69-3 blowout.

The caption of a separate post from the "Bussin' With The Boys" show's official account on X, formerly known as Twitter, that included a video of Puddles showing off its new look read as follows: "The Oregon Duck is dressed like a Labubu today. What a world."

What a world indeed.

Griffin Goodwyn

Griffin Goodwyn is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Griffin has covered the MLB and more at Athlon Sports and On3.