BOULDER, Colo. — Deion Sanders saw a valuable performer for the
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The plan for Ember will be to join Ralphie V — nicknamed “Blackout” — on the ranch and take it easy. Ember made her debut for the Buffaloes in September 2021, when she was just over 15 months old and only 500 pounds.
“Ember has been excellent in many aspects of her role as Ralphie, but she’s happiest relaxing on the ranch and we want to be respectful of her wishes,” said Taylor Stratton, director of the Ralphie Live Mascot Program. “She will continue to get the same top level of love and care that all of our Ralphies receive.”
The Buffaloes have long had a live mascot on their sideline, with the inaugural one named Mr. Chips. The first Ralphie was donated in 1966 and made her debut during a 10-0 win over Kansas State.
She was an instant hit.
The fans broke into a bleacher-shaking “Buffalo Stomp” after she made her pass. School officials stopped the tradition because the students were causing too much damage to the wooden bleachers. It wasn’t long after that that then-football coach Eddie Crowder was presented with the idea of the team running out behind Ralphie.
That tradition officially took hold on Sept. 16, 1967.
