WBRS Sports Blog

Who you ask? Smokey IX, the Tennessee Volunteers' bluetick coonhound mascot. The dog is being accused of biting an Alabama player last week during the Vols' game. Apparently during warm-ups, "Crimson Tide receiver Mike McCoy fell on the 3-year-old dog during pre-game warmups after jumping for an out of bounds, near where Smokey was standing with the cheerleaders."

What happened next?

Well Alabama Coach Mike Shula claims his player was bit when he landed right on top of the dog. Meanwhile, Smokey's owner insists that no such bite transpired. According to the owner of the dog, "Smokey did not bite him. The article in the paper said he bit the player. He got a little of his uniform, didn't break the skin I was told, but Alabama made a big deal out of it I understand." However, Shula insists the dog did bite his player, "I can confirm that. I wasn't an eyewitness, but I did see that it drew blood in pre-game warmups."

Regardless of the controversy and what really occurred, expect Smokey IX back on the sideline this Saturday.