Walk onto the grass at Davis Wade Stadium on a Saturday in Starkville and you’ll feel it immediately. It’s not just the cowbells, though those will definitely ring in your ears for three days straight. It’s the presence of a squat, wrinkled, and surprisingly stoic English Bulldog. He’s the Mississippi State bulldog mascot Bully, and honestly, if you think he’s just a cute sideline attraction, you’re missing the entire soul of the university. This isn’t just a dog. He’s a living lineage.
Most people see a mascot and think of a guy in a sweaty foam suit. Mississippi State has that too—the costumed Bully is great for backflips and photo ops—but the real power lies in the live animal.
Since 1935, this specific line of English Bulldogs has represented the grit of the Magnolia State. It’s a job. A serious one. While other schools rotate through different breeds or names, State has stuck by the "Bully" moniker with a devotion that borders on the religious. It’s about identity.
The Day the Legend Started: 1935 and Ptolemy
The story didn't start with a boardroom meeting or a marketing firm. It started because Coach Major Sumpter Noble wanted a culture shift. In 1935, he brought an English Bulldog named "Ptolemy" (nicknamed Tol) to campus.
The timing was perfect.
State—then known as Mississippi State College—beat Alabama 20-7 shortly after Tol's arrival. If you know anything about Southern football fans, you know we're superstitious. You don't mess with a winning streak. Ptolemy was immediately embraced. Fans didn't just like him; they saw themselves in him. Stubborn. Tough. Low to the ground but impossible to push over.
Shortly after Tol’s reign began, the student body officially voted to adopt the Bulldog as the mascot, replacing the previous "Aggies" nickname. It was a formal acknowledgment of what everyone already knew: the school had found its spirit animal.
A Funeral Fit for a King
You can tell a lot about a fan base by how they treat their icons when they pass. In 1939, the original Bully was hit by a bus on campus. It was a tragedy that genuinely shook the town of Starkville. They didn't just bury him in a quiet corner of the woods.
They gave him a full-scale funeral.
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We’re talking a procession of 2,000 students, the varsity band playing dirges, and a burial under the home bench at Scott Field. That’s the level of respect we're dealing with here. To this day, the tradition of burying the live mascots near the stadium remains a poignant reminder of the bond between the school and these dogs. If you visit the stadium, you can see the markers. It’s a somber, quiet spot in the middle of all that SEC chaos.
The Life of the Modern Bully
Life for the current Mississippi State bulldog mascot Bully is a bit more high-tech than it was for Ptolemy, but it’s no less demanding. The current mascot, Bully XXI (fondly known as "Jak"), is a bit of a celebrity. He’s cared for by the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
This is a huge distinction.
Unlike some mascots that live with private owners or handlers, Bully is literally a ward of the state’s premier vet school. He gets world-class medical care. He has a climate-controlled dog house. He has a dedicated team of student handlers who ensure he’s hydrated, cooled down, and pampered.
English Bulldogs aren't exactly built for the Mississippi heat. If you've ever been to Starkville in September, you know it feels like standing inside a wet wool sock. The handlers are constantly monitoring him with cooling mats and fans. It’s a logistics operation.
Why the English Bulldog?
People often ask why the school sticks with the English Bulldog when they have so many health challenges. It’s a fair question. The breed is prone to respiratory issues and overheating. However, the university has used its own veterinary expertise to lead the way in responsible breeding and care for the mascot.
They aren't just picking a random dog from a breeder. They look for specific temperaments. A Bully has to be chill. You can’t have a dog that loses its mind when 60,000 people start clanging cowbells five feet away. Jak, like his predecessors, possesses that rare "Starkville Zen." He can sit through a goal-line stand or a lightning delay without breaking a sweat—metaphorically speaking, since dogs don't sweat that way.
The Costumed Mascot vs. The Live Mascot
It’s worth noting the distinction between the two versions of Bully. The costumed mascot is the one you see on TV doing pushups or teasing the opposing cheerleaders. This version of Bully actually won a national championship of its own—taking home the UCA Mascot National Championship.
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But for the die-hard fans? The live dog is the king.
There’s a specific ritual where the live Bully leads the team onto the field. It’s a slow, deliberate walk. It’s not flashy. It’s not fast. But it signals that the Bulldogs have arrived. It’s a link to 1935. It’s a link to every Saturday that’s come before.
The Cowbell Connection
You can't talk about the Mississippi State bulldog mascot Bully without mentioning the cowbell. The legend goes that a jersey cow wandered onto the field during a game against Ole Miss and State won. The cow became a symbol of good luck, which eventually morphed into the hand-held bells we see today.
While Bully is the face of the program, the cowbell is the sound. Together, they create an atmosphere that is uniquely, stubbornly Mississippi. It’s loud. It’s a bit weird. It’s totally authentic.
What Most People Get Wrong
People often assume that being a mascot is just about showing up for four hours on a Saturday. That’s not even 10% of it. Bully is a 365-day-a-year ambassador. He attends charity events, visits hospitals, and is a fixture at campus orientations.
There’s also a common misconception that the dogs are "rented" or cycled through quickly. In reality, these dogs stay in the "Bully" role for years. They become part of the campus fabric. Students recognize them on their walks. Faculty stop to give them a quick pat on the head.
The transition from one Bully to the next is a major event. It’s called a "Passing of the Harness." It’s a formal ceremony, usually held during a home game, where the outgoing dog officially "retires" and the new pup takes over. It’s surprisingly emotional. You’ll see grown men in camo hats wiping away tears when a dog they’ve watched for six seasons hangs up the harness.
E-E-A-T: Why This Mascot Matters Beyond Football
From a veterinary science perspective, the MSU mascot program is actually a case study in breed management. The university uses its platform to educate the public on the specific needs of brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds. They aren't just showing off a dog; they are demonstrating how to care for one properly in a challenging climate.
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The College of Veterinary Medicine at MSU is ranked among the best in the country. Their involvement ensures that the Mississippi State bulldog mascot Bully isn't just a prop, but a healthy, thriving animal. This academic tie-in gives the mascot program a layer of legitimacy that you don't see at many other schools.
The Impact on Recruiting and Culture
Does a dog help win football games? Maybe not directly on the stat sheet. But in the world of SEC recruiting, "vibes" matter. When a high school recruit visits Starkville, they see a community that is fiercely loyal to its traditions. They see a mascot that represents resilience.
Bully is the constant. Coaches come and go. Players graduate. The stadium gets renovated. But Bully? Bully is always there. He’s the bridge between the 1941 SEC Championship team and the modern era of the transfer portal and NIL deals.
Real-World Actionable Insights for Fans and Visitors
If you’re planning to visit Starkville to see Bully in person, here are a few things you actually need to know.
First, don't just run up and grab him. He’s a professional, but he’s still a dog. The handlers are usually happy to let you take a photo, but always ask first. They have a tight schedule to keep him out of the sun and heat.
Second, if you want the best view of the "Passing of the Harness" or the pre-game walk, get to your seat early. The pre-game festivities at Davis Wade are some of the best in the country, and Bully is the star of the show.
Third, check out the Junction. This is the heart of the tailgating scene. You might catch a glimpse of Bully making his rounds in a specialized golf cart. It’s the closest thing to a papal motorcade you’ll see in the South.
The Future of the Bully Tradition
As we move deeper into the 2020s, the role of live animal mascots is often under scrutiny. However, Mississippi State has set the gold standard for how to do it right. By prioritizing animal welfare and integrating the mascot into the university's academic mission, they’ve ensured that the Mississippi State bulldog mascot Bully will be around for another century.
The tradition isn't about the dog itself, as much as we love them. It's about what the dog represents. It's that "Dawg" mentality. It’s the idea that you might be smaller, you might be an underdog, and you might have to work twice as hard as the blue-bloods—but you aren't going to back down.
When you see Bully standing on the sidelines, blinking in the Mississippi sun as the cowbells reach a deafening roar, you aren't just looking at a pet. You’re looking at the living, breathing heart of a university that prides itself on being "wrapped in Maroon and White."
Next Steps for the Ultimate Bulldog Fan:
- Visit the Bully Gravesites: Pay your respects to the previous mascots located near the stadium entrance. It’s a quick, meaningful stop that puts the history in perspective.
- Support the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine: Much of the funding for Bully’s world-class care comes through the university’s vet programs.
- Follow the Official Socials: The university often posts "Day in the Life" content for the current Bully, which is great for seeing the behind-the-scenes care he receives.
- Learn the Lineage: Familiarize yourself with the Roman numeral system (Bully XXI, etc.) so you know exactly which era of State football you’re witnessing.