 "Photo: Juan Blas/ The Gamecock")
Think ahead to Saturday afternoon. Williams-Brice Stadium is filled with 80,000 screaming fans, the band creates a tunnel for the football team on the field and "2001" blares over the sound system. At the exact moment that the horns pick up the intensity, the crowd screams with a sudden burst of energy.
But the Gamecocks haven't run onto the field yet.
Instead, THE Gamecock is presented to the crowd. His name is Cocky.
"I'm the heart and soul of the Gamecocks," the mute mascot wrote in a statement. "I make sure everyone in the Carolina community is constantly laughing when I'm around. If they aren't, then something isn't right."
Indeed, Cocky is the face of Carolina athletics, entertaining men, women and children as the leader of the Carolina Spirit Team. His presence on the sidelines can't be missed, and for his part, he enjoys the attention.
"Women love me and men want to be me!" Cocky said.
Considering he has been named to the Capital One All-America Mascot Team for three consecutive years, it would be safe to say that other mascots want to be like him. The Gamecock's responsibilities include showing good sportsmanship and supporting the football team as the No. 1 fan, never missing a home or away contest.
His dedication to the program is what led to his selection to the Mascot Team.
"The best mascots have to show that they are funny, a good ambassador to the team, they are involved in the community and to show some serious skills," Cocky said. "I have mad skills. I've made it three years in a row. Crow about that!"
A panel of judges from ESPN, Capital One representatives and the mascot community select 12 mascots each year as All-Americans. Being selected for the team earns $5,000 for USC's spirit program, while winning the vote as National Mascot of the Year earns an extra $5,000 for the mascot.
In the program's three-year history, Cocky has made a strong showing in the votes each time, taking home top honors in 2003 ahead of the likes of Georgia's Hairy Dawg, Tennessee's Smoky and Florida's Albert. However, after Monte the Grizzly from the University of Montana won the award in 2002 and 2004, Cocky has asked for the help of all Gamecock fans to vote at www.capitalonebowl.com and help him take home the prize again.
With a schedule that includes leading cheers at football games, break-dancing for the student section, conducting the band when it plays "Cocky's 2001" in the stands and doing things as crazy as "running into walls just to get a laugh," the bird is also hard at work before and after games.
"(Before the games), I get up and eat a big plate of steak or BBQ ... NO CHICKEN!" Cocky said. "I wash it down with some red Gatorade and head to the stadium. I greet the fans that tailgate and get them excited so that our Gamecocks know we're behind them. I visit the president and his guests, too. Then I meditate and vanish until the curtain is dropped to the magical theme of '2001.'"
And as for his in-game responsibilities: "Well, watch me and you'll see what I do! Next question!"
Fans and judges alike have been watching Cocky since 1980, and the bird doesn't intend to stop entertaining anytime soon. His next appearance will be at the Homecoming parade before cheering the Gamecocks to victory against Vanderbilt. As a parting note, he is also quick to show that not only is he the football team's No. 1 fan, but he is also his own.
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