Yesterday we noted a mini-brouhaha had erupted over the antics of Minnesota’s mascot before their game with Penn State.
A Penn State player knelt in the corner of the end zone in prayer, and Goldy Gopher mimicked the Nittany Lion.
The mascot has caught a little flak in the ensuing days for his heathen act, and, believe it or not, Goldy had an apology issued on his behalf. Seriously.
From the director of University News Service, Daniel Wolter, and courtesy of the Minneapolis Star Tribune:
We have had a discussion with Goldy about the incident in Penn State on Saturday. It certainly wasn’t his intent to offend anyone or trivialize their religion. The life of a mascot at a sporting event is fast-paced and enormously high energy. This was plainly a mistake. On behalf of Goldy and the University of Minnesota, I want to apologize to the Penn State player involved and anyone else who may have taken offense from this incident. We have reiterated to Goldy the importance of exercising appropriate religious sensitivity in the future.
I don’t know about you, but I know I will sleep much better tonight knowing that a fake gopher feels bad and apologized for his hijinks.