Hey y’all, I’ve got to share this — maybe it’s silly, but Pudge the Cat (yes, that Pudge from BGSU) genuinely shifted something inside me.

A few months ago, I was in a slump: going through the motions, feeling a little empty, disconnected from things I used to care about. I follow college football, and one day I saw a TikTok of Pudge in the Bowling Green locker room. I knew the story: long snapper George Carlson brought him in to boost morale after a teammate’s injury.


But seeing this little orange cat lounging among the players, being treated like part of the team — it hit me. If a cat can be part of a locker room full of big, tough athletes, then maybe I, too, can find a place somewhere I feel “belonged.”


I started following Pudge’s journey: how he’s now sort of an unofficial mascot for the Falcons, how he’s got merchandise, how he appears at games.

That energy — the joy, the weird charm — it kind of lit something in me.


I made small changes: I got out more, reconnected with friends, cheered harder for things I once shrugged off. And whenever I felt low, I’d scroll through Pudge’s Insta or read updates, just letting that goofy feline remind me life can surprise you.


So yeah. Pudge the Cat — locker room feline, viral sensation, and my unexpected inspiration.


Edit 1: Wow — this has blown up more than I ever expected. Pudge and I both thank you for all the kind words and shares.
4,785 upvotes
Edit 2: For those asking: yes, Pudge is real, and he does travel with the team sometimes. He’s got a custom jersey and NIL merch.
Edit 3: I’m tearing up at how many of you have shared your own animal inspiration stories. This community is beautiful.