Sports Illustrated has ranked Chief Osceola and Renegade as the #1 mascot in all college football and I may be biased as an alumna of Florida State University, but I have to agree.
The tradition at Florida State University of Chief Osceola planting his spear into the ground on home games started in 1978 and may have its origins from an old Florida legend.
Legend that suggests Osceola stabbed a treaty with his hunting knife as a declaration of war against the US government when they were attempting the removal of Indians from Florida. There is not a record of this actually happening although there are drawings depicting the incident.
In 1835 the ambush and murder of an important chief, Charley Emaltha, was attributed to Osceola and a band of Mikasukis. They would be suspected in future events for any acts of violence not easily explained. And this is how legends get started.
So the next time you catch an FSU home game whether it be on TV or live at Doak Campbell Stadium, just remember when Chief Osceola plants the spear on Bobby Bowden Field, the Seminoles are declaring war on their opponent.
GO SEMINOLES!!
** I am not a historian but the legend does put an interesting twist on the FSU tradition. **
Great post Cheryl. Does anyone remember when they used to give you garnet and gold balloons at the entrance to let loose when the spear hit the ground? It was such a pretty sight. They stopped since apparently it was killing bids who were eating the balloons or something like that.
ReplyDeleteHi Renee! No, I don't remember the balloons? Maybe they stopped it before my freshman year - or maybe I was just oblivious? lol...I can see how it would upset environmentalists - not good for birds or other wildlife that try to eat the deflated balloons.
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