Culture

New Orleans Pelicans Had to Redesign Their Terrifying Mascot

Pierre T. Pelican, last seen scaring children far and wide, has a new look.

By Sara Morrison
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When the New Orleans Pelicans unveiled their mascot, Pierre, last October, the world reacted with mostly horror. USA Today called Pierre "completely and utterly terrifying." SB Nation went with "the scariest thing ever." Bleacher Report: "will haunt your dreams." CBS: "we should kill it with fire."

In all fairness, it's pretty scary:

But no longer! The New Orleans Pelicans have heard your cries and made a few changes:

Much better, don't you think?

The Pelicans had a grand old time with Pierre's facelift, claiming that Pierre's new face was the result of reconstructive surgery after he broke his beak during a pick-up game with other NBA mascots.

"Pierre drove to the basket and was fouled by Grizz on the play," the press release said. "He sustained a broken beak after running into the padded stanchion on the goal."

His surgery was performed by the Pelicans' team physician, who I don't believe is a plastic surgeon or a veterinarian, after consultation with a zoo's "Curator of Birds" who apparently had nothing better to do that day.

The Pelicans have not explained how reconstructive surgery could make a beak completely change color.

This article is from the archive of our partner The Wire.