The NCAA Tournament has kicked off, and we’ve already witnessed a potential meme of the event, originating from a viral moment involving a dejected mascot. During the matchup, the No. 5 Clemson Tigers found themselves falling behind 51-29 against 12-seed McNeese midway through the second half. The truTV broadcast captured the Tigers’ mascot, who was visibly shaking his head in disbelief.
THIS IS MARCH! #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/sTZet3LBQa https://t.co/KA2PSK6Wx2
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 20, 2025
That moment quickly became meme-worthy, circulating widely on social media and eliciting laughter from various sports media personalities.
“I realized I could play a million games but I’d still never be satisfied. Maybe what I really want is to BE one of these Clemson Tigers” https://t.co/SM9WqgpyQe
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) March 20, 2025
McNeese State hits another 3 and the camera cuts immediately to Clemson’s mascot shaking his head. pic.twitter.com/tZwb3jZCrT
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) March 20, 2025
“Okay, our team is getting blown out. But as long as I don’t end up on TV and become one of those Twitter memes, it won’t be all bad.” – person in the Clemson Tiger mascot costume…maybe pic.twitter.com/LCgsKSDatg
— Tim Bielik (@timbielik) March 20, 2025
We got ourselves a sad Clemson mascot. This team sucks. pic.twitter.com/tKO4VGkHck
— Bobby Reagan (@BarstoolReags) March 20, 2025
In response, the popular Art But Make it Sports account joined the conversation with a clever twist.
(Sad) Tiger, by Jean-Léon Gérôme, late 19th c pic.twitter.com/xUOV8zSW7M
— ArtButMakeItSports (@ArtButSports) March 20, 2025
Clemson mounted a late comeback, ultimately losing 69-67—a defeat that perhaps stung even more for their mascot than a larger blowout loss. The mascot, known simply as “The Tiger” (lacking creativity, we must say), certainly had a tough day.
And the award 🏆 for “Best Mascot” goes to… the #Tiger! 👏 pic.twitter.com/AWwsMhEKOV
— Clemson University (@ClemsonUniv) March 5, 2018
