A.I. Recreates Famous Sports Mascots

Mascots may seem just all fun and games, but they actually play a huge role in sports. Bringing a face and a voice  to the team,  a mascot can hype the crowd which generates support for the team and brings up morale. Many sports mascots are instantly recognizable and are perfect for marketing. They bring joy to millions and they generate a lot of enthusiasm about games in general.

Mascots bring people together, much like a cheersquad and are arguably one of the most important components of one. Some mascots are so beloved and iconic that they can draw huge reactions from crowds. But whether you enjoy them yourself, or you think they are creepy, there's no arguing their place in sports. 

Here we asked our AI to bring some of the most iconic sports mascots to life as they would appear in the real world, if they weren't just people in costumes. And as for the teams with no mascots at all, we asked the AI to come up with some of its own designs and the results were rather...interesting...

Let's take a look at some of your favorite sports mascots, brought to life, plus some brand new ones!

First up, we have Philadelphia Eagles mascot Swoop. As you would expect, he is an eagle that wears his team's jersey. According to his fictional biography,  Swoop was born in  Neshaminy State Park with poor eyesight and strength, but after being given a magical jersey, he grew larger and developed a humanoid appearance.

Swoop debuted as the Eagle's mascot back in 1996. In 2005,  he started appearing as an animated character for the Eagles Kids Club television show that airs during the NFL season.  As one of the most beloved mascots in NFL history, Swoop never fails to make a crowd smile. 

The New York Giants don't actually have a mascot, but fear not, because our AI created one for them. It appears to be some kind of Gorilla, or a Yeti or some kind of giant monster perhaps. Whatever it is, it works and they might want to consider it.

Interestingly, out of all 32 teams in the NFL, only five of them don't have a mascot and the Giants are one of the five. Nobody quite knows what the team, or rather the owners of the team have against mascots. but whatever that may be, they might want to think about lightening up.

The mascot for the Cardinals, Big Red (not like the gum), was introduced back in 1998.  Since then, he has appeared at every home game. He's also made a Super Bowl appearance at Super Bowl XLIII in 2009, when the Cardinals were up against the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

The loyal and bodacious bird has undoubtedly made an impression on fans, standing at 6'4" with a 7-foot wingspan. Established all the way back in 1898, it was about time the Cardinals had a mascot. This is the AI's interpretation of Big Red is nearly accurate...

Prior to 2023, the Washington Commaders were without a mascot, but don't worry if you didn't know that because it just happened We have to say, though, that this AI version looks a lot cooler than the real mascot that was recently introduced by the NFL team.

The real mascot for the Washington Commanders is Major Tuddy, a raving pigman that made his first appearance in January 2023 during halftime at a game against the Cardinals.  The name comes from the nickname given to Washington's offensive line, "The Hogs." And the look of the uniform he is wearing is styled as it appeared in the '80s and '90s. 

Meet Benny the Bull. And no, we aren't throwing any bull your way. This is the mascot for the Chicago Bulls basketball team. Its in serious need of an update if you ask us, as it barely looks like a bull to begin with. It looks like a thing of nightmares.

The AI's version is scary too, but in a menacing way rather than being straight-up creepy.  Either way, the mascot reminds us of minotaurs and minotaurs are pretty scary if you ask us.  Having been around since 1969, Benny the Bull has seen many years of service compared to the other mascots on this list.

Yet another occasion where the AI's version is better than the real thing. Here we have K.C. Wolf, who looks more like the Chuck E. Cheese rat than any kind of wolf, who rides a four-wheeler, cause why not? Is he lazy, maybe, but the rat...I mean wolf, really knows his crowd.

K.C. Wolf was introduced in 1989 as a successor to their previous mascot Warpaint. He was named after a group of rambunctious fans who sat in the bleachers and were called the Wolfpack. In addition to serving as football mascot, he also serves as a mascot for major and minor league baseball games.

The Green Bay Packers don't actually have a mascot, but our AI took the liberty of making one for them. It appears to be some kind of bear cub in a vintage-looking football helmet. It's not a particularly menacing or energetic appearance either but it's certainly adorable!

However, in the 1980s, the Packers did have a mascot, and his name was Packy Packer, who wore a football uniform and rocked a beard, but those days are long gone. If ever there was a football mascot that embodied masculinity, the sausage carrying Packy was that mascot.

The New York Mets mascot, must be one of the must unimaginative mascots of all time because really he's just a regular guy with a baseball for a head. Also, kinda weird bro. There's just something about looking into those vacant eyes that really gives us the creeps. 

The mascot first appeared in 1963 as a cartoon drawing but a year later emerged in  his physical form in what is believed to be the first human mascot in major league baseball. In 2012, Forbes named him the number one mascot out all of sports. I guess being the first does make you the best.

Evidently, New York football teams are not huge fans of mascots as the New York Jets also don't have a mascot. But thanks to AI, now they do, even if they didn't ask for it at all. You are welcome, Jets! And you don't even have to pay us, although you are welcome to...

The Ai came up with this adorable bear in a Jets uniform and you just know it would sell a lot of plushies. So maybe get off your high horse and consider getting a mascot for your own good. You aren't exactly the best football team around, so maybe have a cute mascot to make up for it?

The Los Angeles Chargers technically don't have a mascot. Although they do have Boltman, an unofficial mascot that the team does not acknowledge - probably because it's ugly. But this mascot is actually a fan named Dan Jauregui, who wears a football uniform and wears a creepy costume to games. 

Even our AI doesn't recognize Boltman as an official mascot and so it decided to do its own thing, showing us some kind of mystical creature as a mascot. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what it is but it kind of looks like a griffin or a hippogriff or something of that nature. Whatever it is, it looks cooler than Boltman. Sorry, Dan.

The Minnesota Vikings, as you would expect, having a viking mascot and his name is Viktor the Viking. But he's not just any viking! Born January 28th, 960 AD, Viktor is said to be related to Thor, the god of thunder, according to his fictional biography. 

Viktor bears a striking resemblance to the Vikings logo. Previously, Ragnar was the vikings mascot and he looked more like a regular viking than an actual mascot. This AI version is definitely Viktor as you can tell from the obvious purple uniform and the blonde flowing locks. 

What looks like Big Bird having had an accident with feather dye, is actually Phillie Phanatic, the team's mascot since 1978. Before then was Philadelphia Phil and  Phillis who were a pair of siblings dressed up in 18th-century clothing. Phanatic was formally introduced on the children's show "Captain Noah and His Magical Ark," which is appropriate since he looks like a Sesame Street character to begin with.

In 2019, however, Phantic went through some cosmetic changes after the creator attempted to withdraw from his agreement with the team regarding the use of his work. A tweaked version of Phanatic was used until 2022 until a settlement had been reached. And then now we have the AI's spin on things.

Oh, Wally the Green Monster, the beloved mascot of the Boston Red Sox. This big green guy is like a celebrity in Boston. He's got more followers on social media than most influencers, and he's not even human. With those big googly eyes and that wide grin, who could resist him?  Wally may be cute and cuddly, but don't let that fool you. 

He's got wise cracks for days. I once saw him go head-to-head with the Yankees mascot, and let me tell you, he held his own. He may be green, but he's got the heart of a lion. Speaking of green, have you ever wondered how Wally stays so green all year round? I heard he drinks nothing but kale smoothies and eats only green vegetables. No wonder he's so energetic. Let's be real though, he's probably got a secret stash of Boston cream pies hidden away somewhere!  

Oh, let us tell you about Zippy the Kangaroo, the mascot of the University of Akron in Ohio. This little guy has more energy than a toddler on a sugar high. Seriously, have you ever seen a kangaroo bounce around? It's like they've had one too many cups of coffee.

Zippy isn't just energetic, he's sassy too. I've heard he once got into a feud with Brutus Buckeye (the Ohio State mascot) over who had the better dance moves. Zippy won, obviously. I mean, have you seen him do the "roo-hop"?  Let's not forget about his fashion sense. He may be a marsupial, but he still knows how to rock a onesie better than anyone else! Even The Ai knows!

Iceburgh, is the Pittsburgh Penguins' lovable mascot. In terms of sports mascots, this penguin is like a celebrity. He's a human wearing a penguin suit, but he's got more moves than a penguin on ice, which is saying something. Iceburgh may be a dance machine, but he also has a wild side. 

He's not a fan of bad parties, and the ai gets that! Word on the street has it that he once got into it with the Detroit Red Wings mascot over who made the best chili cheese fries for a party!  To put it simply, he is always up for a good time and also a good ruckus. 

Jaxson de Ville, the Jacksonville Jaguars' lovable mascot,( how could you not, look at how cute the ai thinks he is) is known for his crazy behavior and big personality. Since 1996, this fluffy cat has entertained fans with his sideline dance routines, antics, and pranks. Jaxson's most noteworthy stunt was riding a motorcycle onto the field in a Jaguars helmet and cape. He struck a bump and fell off the bike, but he got back on and kept the crowd entertained. 

Jaxson is noted for his feuds with other mascots, including Houston Texans' Toro. In 2015, Toro turned and pied Jaxson. Jaxson got on Toro's back and they had a fun fight. Despite his pranks, Jaxson cares about giving back. His philanthropic work takes him to hospitals and schools to promote goodwill and healthy living.

Rumble is the Oklahoma City Thunder's wild mascot. Since 2008, this enormous dude has caused a quite the stir. Rumble flaunts his dance skills on and off the field. He even dances and challenges spectators to dance-offs. His signature dance, the "Rumble Shuffle," is very flamboyant and confident. Rumble isn't just a dancer though, he's a strong competitor who prides himself on his strength. 

During one game, he bench-pressed Thunder player Steven Adams, much to the delight of the crowd! Sometimes he'll steal popcorn from unsuspecting spectators or fight the opposing team's mascot. He even once showed up to a game dressed as a matador and proceeded to "fight" a bull mascot. Rumble is kind despite his tough exterior. He visits local schools to promote literacy and fitness as part of his community service!

Steely McBeam, the mascot for the Pittsburgh Steelers, is famous for his strongman demeanor, complete with bulging muscles and a larger-than-life personality. Since 2007, this mascot's muscles and intimidating demeanor have been a source of motivation for the team's supporters. He frequently flexes his muscles to get the audience amped up!

Steel Curtain is his hallmark maneuver, and it consists of charging through a banner much to the pleasure of the audience! The artificial intelligence was able to not only capture this mascot's grit, but also his candor! Strong vibes emanate from him as he maintains eye contact with the camera.

Hugo the Hornet is the lovable mascot for the Charlotte Hornets NBA team, and he's one buzzworthy bee who's always up for a good time. This stripey insect first appeared on the scene in 1988 and has been entertaining fans ever since. Hugo's been known to sneak up on fans and steal their snacks or engage in playful battles with other team mascots, but Hugo's not just about the entertainment. 

He's also a humanitarian, teaming up with local beekeepers to educate fans about the importance of bees in our ecosystem. Hugo's signature move is the "Honey Dip Dunk," where he swoops in from the rafters to slam dunk a basketball. He's also got some serious dance moves and is often seen leading fans in choreographed routines during timeouts. 

Mr. Red, the Cincinnati Reds' mascot, is always well-dressed. Since 1953, this Reds fan has worn the same red outfit. His baseball hat and uniform show his dedication, in both images! He loves leading spectators in the "Reds Shuffle," a high-energy dancing routine. He's not just flash and style, he also plays for charity baseball games and practices with the club!

Mr. Red's huge head, smile, and expressive eyes make him stand out. He even gives admirers high-fives and takes selfies during games! He always seems to enjoy himself no matter what he's doing, like holding crazy promotions like the "Rally Cap Swap," where fans could trade in their old caps for a Mr. Red cap!

Bailey the Lion is the charismatic mascot of the Los Angeles Kings NHL team, and he's one big cat who's always ready to roar! This furry feline first made his debut in 2007 and is known for his larger-than-life personality, often seen performing stunts and tricks to wow the crowd. He's been known to ride a zamboni during intermissions or do backflips off the boards.

Bailey's signature move is the "flying V," where he leads a group of young fans in a V-shaped formation around the rink during intermissions. He's also known for his energetic dance moves and often leads fans in spontaneous dance parties during timeouts. The ai perfectly captures his intensity in this image!

Let's talk about Rampage - not the classic video game, but the beloved mascot of the Los Angeles Rams! Rampage is a 6'1" anthropomorphic ram with a love for football and a talent for getting fans pumped up. And let me tell you, he's quite the character.  Whether he's doing the cha-cha slide or the Macarena, he always manages to get the crowd moving, but wait there's more - if that doesn't work - he's not afraid to break out some air guitar or even a backflip!

If you're lucky enough to run into Rampage at a Rams game, don't be intimidated by his size. (Which the ai seemed to get, even though it didn't get the color right.) He's actually quite friendly and approachable (according to his official bio, anyway). And who knows, maybe he'll even teach you a dance move or two!

Grizz, the beloved mascot of the Memphis Grizzlies is a 7-foot-tall grizzly bear who knows how to get the crowd hyped up. He's always up for a dance-off, and he's not afraid to show off his skills. Whether he's doing the whip or the nae nae, he's always got the crowd on their feet. 

To add, if that's not enough, he's also been known to break out some breakdancing moves that would put most humans to shame.  If you're lucky enough to run into Grizz at a Grizzlies game, don't be scared off by his size. He's actually quite friendly and approachable (just don't get too close to his claws). And who knows, maybe he'll even challenge you to a dance-off!

Burnie is the fiery mascot of the Miami Heat! Burnie is a 6-foot-tall anthropomorphic fireball who knows how to bring the heat to any game. And let us tell you, he's quite the character. Burnie is all about the theatrics. He loves to put on a show, whether he's jumping through a ring of fire or rappelling down from the rafters. 

He's also been known to shoot T-shirts out of a cannon into the crowd! Talk about a hot shot! He's actually quite friendly and approachable. Too bad most people, not even AI, know he's on fire! If you meet him, who knows, maybe he'll even shoot a T-shirt your way. Just be ready to catch it!

Minnesota Wild's hockey team has the lovely mascot in Nordy. The 6-foot-tall, furry Nordy is a jovial presence at every game. As a matter of fact, Nordy is a huge dance fan! Even if he's just doing the robot or the floss, he can get the whole crowd up and moving. If that weren't enough, he's also shown off some impressive breakdancing skills on occasion. 

Don't be put off by Nordy's massive frame if you ever meet him at a Wild game, even though the AI believes he's something out of a nightmare. In reality, he's easy to talk to and get along with. Perhaps he will even propose a dance-off with you. Be sure to give it your best effort!

The Montreal Canadiens' famous mascot is known simply as "Youppi!." Youppi! is an orange monster standing six feet tall who understands how to get the crowd pumped up. He often enjoys the role of jokester. Every time he does one of his sillly dances or makes one of his goofy looks, his audience laughs and cheers from the stands!

Sometimes he does crazy things like parachuting into the stadium or sliding down the stairs on a tray! I mean, talk about a wild card! The AI here does not think this mascot looks anything like a human, which blew our collective minds! Don't let Youppi!'s orange monster fur put you off though, he's sociable and kind, but his long claws are nothing to mess with!

Ahoy mateys! You're looking at Pirate Parrot, the daring mascot of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The pirates' parrot is a notorious practical joker. Dressed as a pirate captain or not, he always manages to get a rise out of his fans' and encourages laughter no matter where he goes! We've never seen a more beautiful avian friend. 

Don't let Pirate Parrot's eye patch and pirate cap put you off if you ever meet him during a Pirates game. When pressed, he'll admit that he's actually rather pleasant and friendly. To top it all off, if you ask nicely, he might even let you try on his hat. Get used to saying "arrr" because you will be using it a lot with him!

Let's gush over the San Francisco Giants' lovable mascot, Lou Seal. Lou Seal is a tall sea lion with a flair for the dramatic. Lou Seal is an enthusiastic dancer who can get the party started with the cha-cha or the Macarena. Not content with that, well, he also occasionally performs impressive acrobatics, such as backflips, and cartwheels! Boy oh boy is he chill though, the AI gets that. One Chill Seal.

What an amazing performer the sea lion is! You shouldn't let Lou Seal's bulk put you off if you ever meet him at a Giants game. Truth be told, he's really personable and nice. Perhaps he will even propose a dance-off with you. You had better be ready to show off your best dance moves!

In May of 1994, Toronto Raptors were officially unveiled on Canadian national television. The decision was influenced by the success of the 1993 film adaptation of Michael Crichton's 1990 science fiction book, and we're sure your fave, Jurassic Park. The Toronto Raptors' designated mascot is a The Raptor. This Raptor really loves to dunk! The Ai here seems to think that he also does crossfit. 

Whether he's jumping off trampolines or leaping over his handlers, he always manages to wow the crowd! The Raptor has garnered attention on numerous occasions, both good and bad, thanks to a number of highly publicized antics. In the National Basketball Association, he is considered as one of the best and most dedicated players!

 Jazz Bear is the groovy mascot of the Utah Jazz! The Jazz Bear is a brown bear who knows how to get down. The first was Absey, who was the mascot at Morehouse State College. He was later approached to audition for the Jazz character in the early 1990s as a result of a series of events. The outfit has never cease to be horrifying.  The AI makes it easier on the eyes.

Since making his debut in 1994 by rappelling down from a catwalk high above the arena, Jazz Bear has dazzled audiences. He has continued to entertain fans of all ages with his stunts in hundreds of games, only stepping up their difficulty, whether he is riding a plastic sled down the concourse stairs or performing a handstand atop a 20-foot ladder at center court!