If one were to go only on mascots, Oklahoma would seem to be the toughest state around.



Sure, other states have lions and tigers, but how many are chock full of the likes of Ironheads and Bulldoggers? Not many outside of the Sooner State.

The best among that tough crowd, according to voters at USA Today, are the Miami (Ok.) High Wardogs. And while some might think that Miami's mascot is simply referring to tough dogs, it's actually much more than that.

Rather, the Wardogs are a reference to actual military dogs. Indeed, canine companions are still used both for dangerous battle missions, Navy SEAL teams and essential search and rescue missions. The animals often put themselves in mortal peril to follow orders, a show of loyalty that Miami wanted to honor in a special way.



The mascot has remained steadfast since its introduction, just as war dogs always do themselves.

Other Great Oklahoma Mascots of Note:

Oh Wright City, how could you. The Wright City (Ok.) High sports teams don't play as Lumberjacks, they compete as the Lumberjax.

Ouch. That pun is bad even by Prep Rally standards.

The aforementioned Bulldoggers are from Dewey (Ok.) High, but they aren't another reference to the canine genus. Rather, they're a tip of the cap to a truly crazy rodeo sport known as Bulldogging, where cowboys would wrestle a steer to the ground. Yes, wrestle, not lasso. According to USA Today, the sport was started by a man named Bill Pickett, whose signature move was biting the ear (or at least part of the ear) off of a steer to leave it stunned and more likely to slip up and go down.

All of that tells us one thing: Bill Pickett was one truly crazy cowboy. Perhaps the teams at Dewey still compete that way in his honor.

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