Jaguars Stupid Mascot Tells Stupid Joke, Everyone Overreacts

The Pittsburgh Steelers were in town to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday and delivered the home team their fifth consecutive loss this season. Dating back to last season the Jags have actually lost eight in a row, putting their record since the 2012 season at an abysmal 6-31.

There’s no way to sugarcoat what is obviously a very sad state of affairs for football fans in Jacksonville. Last year they resorted to a very desperate free beer promotion and this season they’ve installed some kind of weird pool in the stadium.

Nice of them to install a pool for the VISITING fans

Considering the endlessly depressing situation, Jags mascot Jaxson de Ville has got an almost impossible task on his hands. Like trying to win a Texas Hold’em tournament when the only starting pair you’re dealt is 7-2.

Jaxson does the best he can, making painful bets with opposing mascots he has no chance of winning, running around in nothing but a thong and an oversized jaguar head (risking heatstroke in that Florida sun)—basically engaging in all the self-nullifying behavior required of the position.

And he does it with zeal!

The problem with that kind of desperation—thinking up new gags isn’t as easy as it sounds—is that eventually you’re going to overdo it. On Sunday Jaxson probably overdid it…a little. 

Topical humor is a great way to stay fresh, but one must remain vigilant in order to sidestep any potential land mines. Jaxson obviously didn’t take the temperature of the room before strutting out with a Terrible Towel and a sign that read “Towels Carry Ebola.”

A quick scan of headlines would have revealed that Ebola panic in the United States is in full swing, despite Americans not really being at any serious risk. It’s been trending nationally on Twitter for weeks now.

Jaxson was likely joking based on the situation domestically, which actually is pretty funny. There’s no question that the discussion and concern in the U.S. far outweighs the risk. And as far as the actual statement on the sign—he wasn’t wrong.

But the outrage police were on high alert and immediately climbed on their collective soapbox to chastise the mascot, and the team, for making light of the virus, which has killed more than 3,000 people in West Africa since March.

There is absolutely no question that the situation overseas is dire and that making light of it is in poor taste. But does anyone seriously think that’s what the Jags mascot was doing on Sunday? Mocking people who have died from Ebola?

Image via Twitter

Not that it matters. Twitter deemed it the most offensive thing that has ever happened, and what Twitter says goes now. Apparently.

Image via Twitter

Given the onslaught of negative publicity that has surrounded the NFL for months, the Jaguars didn’t waste any time in issuing an official apology. They also tried to explain Jaxson’s thankless job.

Per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

“Improvisation and humor have both been key elements to the character of Jaxson de Ville, especially when he performs at home games,” president Mark Lamping said. “On Sunday, the person who has played Jaxson de Ville over the past 20 seasons made an extremely poor decision in that regard.”

“The team was unaware of this inappropriate sign, which was handmade by Jaxson during the fourth quarter of yesterday’s game, until after it had been displayed. We are handling the matter internally and taking it very seriously. We extend our sincerest apologies to anyone who was offended.”

So yeah. The Jaguars apologized for a stupid joke and now Ebola has been eradicated from existence! Yay!

Oh no wait…only one of those things happened. Obviously the more important of the two.

Image via Twitter

Another win for angry Twitter!