September 2, 2004 5:35 AM

Off to greener pastures....

Greener pastures ahead for Bevo XIII: Youngster Bevo XIV waits on the sidelines

Only in Texas would the "retirement" of a Longhorn steer be considered news. Of course, this being Texas, Bevo XIII won't exactly be suffering or pinching pennies in retirement.

The year Bevo XIII became the University of Texas mascot, Ronald Reagan was president and Don't Worry, Be Happy was playing on the radio.

Now, the beloved steer is going into retirement.

It's a well-deserved rest for Bevo, who spent 16 years representing his Orangebloods, a time span that makes him the longest-serving mascot in the university's history.

"He was just getting too old," said Jim Nicar, director of the UT Heritage Society.

But sports fanatics and Texas Exes shouldn't worry, Nicar said. Bevo will live out the rest of his days in luxury.

"Let me dispel a rumor: No, Bevo is not destined to become food," he said. "He's going to greener pastures where he will graze, get sunning or whatever he wants to do."

Nope, no "Bevo Burgers" here. This lucky Longhorn will be treated with an almost Hindu-like devotion- like he wasn't pampered during his productive years.

We should all be so lucky and well-treated in our retirement....

During his tenure, Bevo XIII attended Longhorn football games, traveled coast to coast and even made an appearance at President George W. Bush's inauguration party in Washington, Nicar said.

The celebrity longhorn will make his final appearance when UT welcomes its new mascot, 2-year-old Bevo XIV, during Saturday's 6 p.m. opening home game against the University of North Texas. It will be the first time in UT's history that two mascots will be at a football game at the same time, Nicar said.

After the game, the younger Bevo will receive the elder's burnt-orange trailer, his decorative bit and the entourage of students, called Silver Spurs, to pamper and care for him.

On Friday, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., the school will host Bevo XIII's retirement party at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center.

Would that all of us would be so well-treated and well-regarded in our own retirement....

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This page contains a single entry by Jack Cluth published on September 2, 2004 5:35 AM.

One too many vodka gimlets? was the previous entry in this blog.

And I'll bet she served with distinction- from her kitchen is the next entry in this blog.

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