Southwest
Former Dallas Cowboys NFL mascot says job was not on bucket list, shares Rowdy experience as 'face' of brand
There’s a lot of mystery surrounding the person under a mascot suit. A former college and NFL mascot has put a human face to the character by sharing his experience stepping into the “Rowdy” suit for the 2022-2023 Dallas Cowboys season and how he got there.
“Mascots aren’t really known, and I really wanted to change that,” Eric Aaberg, a former mascot for the Dallas Cowboys, told Fox News Digital in a Zoom interview.
He now uses TikTok to talk about his time being the “face” of the Cowboys and what it was like being Rowdy as a 22-year-old while also balancing life as a college student.
![The Dallas Cowboys mascot, Rowdy](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Former-Dallas-Cowboys-NFL-mascot-says-job-was-not-on.jpg)
In addition to stepping into the Rowdy costume for events and game days, Aaberg also spent a lot of his time with the organization creating social media content. (Eric Aaberg Photography)
12 SETS OF RECENT BROTHERS PART OF THE NFL: THE KELCES, BOSAS AND MORE
Aaberg’s road to Rowdy happened by a bit of luck and taking a chance on something new. While he was attending the University of Texas at Dallas, he was approached to join the cheer team and later asked to be the school’s mascot, Temoc.
“Being a mascot was not on my bucket list for college,” Aaberg said.
He was reluctant to accept the role at first but ended up taking on the opportunity and continued to be the mascot for five years.
![Dallas Cowboys stadium](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1725261377_740_Former-Dallas-Cowboys-NFL-mascot-says-job-was-not-on.jpg)
Being Rowdy is no small task. There are a lot of other events that the mascot is needed for beyond just game days. (Brad Schloss/Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images)
DALLAS COWBOYS CHEERLEADERS PRESSURED TO LOOK LIKE SUPERMODELS BUT PERFORM LIKE ATHLETES: DOCUSERIES
Becoming Temoc ultimately led to Aaberg getting the chance to try out for Rowdy, the mascot for the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys reached out to UT Dallas, expressing their interest in Aaberg being their mascot.
“The tryout process was literally one interview,” Aaberg said, noting that it helped that he already had experience working as a mascot and also with creating social media content.
After being hired and attending one event, on top of some additional training, Aaberg became Rowdy, a character that has a much larger presence than just hyping up the crowd at games and posing for photos with fans.
KODY LOSTROH, 2024 BULL RIDING HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE, ON TRAINING FOR AN 8-SECOND RIDE
“I think the common misconception is people think the mascots are only at games, but actually, the mascots and cheerleaders are at tons of corporate events, I want to say over 300 throughout the year,” Aaberg told Fox News Digital. “Sometimes that’s seven times a week, sometimes that’s five times a week, sometimes that’s 10 times a week.”
At the time when he got the job, he was still a college student. Though there were multiple people who were mascot performers for the team, the schedule was still a packed one.
![Back of jersey on the Dallas Cowboys mascot](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1725261378_206_Former-Dallas-Cowboys-NFL-mascot-says-job-was-not-on.jpg)
Aaberg was part of a rotating cast of individuals who took turns playing Rowdy at games and other events. (Eric Aaberg Photography)
CIRCUS PERFORMER FOLLOWS IN PARENTS’ FOOTSTEPS AS HUMAN CANNONBALL, FEELING 7 G’S WITH EACH LAUNCH
The typical call time for game days was 6 a.m., according to Aaberg, with other responsibilities including driving around the “Rowdy van,” which carries the mascot costume, and going to upwards of four-hour corporate events.
“At the end of the day, being a mascot is just another form of marketing. You are literally the walking face of the brand,” Aaberg said, who often made social media content featuring Rowdy during his time with the team.
For those who want to become a mascot for their college team or even a professional sports team, Aaberg attributes qualities like being passionate, energetic and dedicated to success in the job.
“You have to be passionate about school spirit, being passionate about really wanting to put a smile on people’s faces, making these Tiktok trends, having that reason to put on the suit,” Aaberg said.
Read the full article from Here
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
Los Angeles, Ca
More human remains found at home of alleged killer of couple at nudist resort
![More human remains found at home of alleged killer of couple at nudist resort More human remains found at home of alleged killer of couple at nudist resort](https://ktla.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/Michael-Sparks.png?w=900)
More human remains have been found at the home of 62-year-old Redlands resident Michael Sparks, who was arrested on suspicion of murder last week in connection with an elderly couple reported missing out of Colton.
Investigators with the Redlands Police Department on Sunday were in their fourth day of an extensive search of Spark’s property at the Olive Dell Ranch Nudist Resort when they recovered the additional remains.
On Aug. 29, after police were tipped off about where the now presumed dead 73-year-old Stephanie Menard and 79-year-old Daniel Menard might be located, authorities attempted to locate Sparks at his home.
The 62-year-old had barricaded himself with a rifle inside, prompting police to use a drone and then a battering ram to tear through the house.
He was located in a cement bunker beneath the residence, the same location where a cadaver dog alerted police to bags stuffed with human remains.
Authorities said Sparks attempted to take his own life moments before he was captured, but the rifle misfired.
The Menards were last seen on Aug. 24 and reported missing the next day by a friend when they didn’t show up for church. Their abandoned vehicle was found about a half mile down from the RV Park.
The Menards and Sparks had been neighbors for years. Other nearby residents told KTLA that the trio had an ongoing feud, and that Sparks never liked the couple.
While authorities have yet to comment on how the alleged killings happened, others, like longtime friend and neighbor Irene Engkraf, have been asking their own questions.
“If [Sparks] drove that car down there, how did he come from there all the way around and up that hill without anybody seeing or knowing who drove that car,” she told KTLA’s Shelby Nelson.
Authorities say they are continuing the work of positively identifying the remains found on Spark’s property as that of the Menards.
It remains unclear if the additional human remains found on the property Sunday may be another victim or victims.
Southwest
Wells Fargo employee found dead 4 days after clocking in at work: police
![Wells Fargo employee found dead 4 days after clocking in at work: police Wells Fargo employee found dead 4 days after clocking in at work: police](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Wells-Fargo.png)
A Wells Fargo employee was found dead last week, four days after clocking in for work in Tempe, Arizona.
Officers responded to the area of Priest Drive and Washington Street Aug. 20 after receiving calls from on-site security who believed the employee was dead.
The employee was identified as Denise Prudhomme, 60.
Police said she was pronounced dead just before 5 p.m.
SOUTH CAROLINA AUTHORITIES REVEAL MASSACHUSETTS MAN’S CAUSE OF DEATH AFTER HE VANISHED IN HILTON HEAD
A Wells Fargo employee was found dead at her desk four days after she clocked in to work. (Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Investigators determined Prudhomme had scanned into the building Aug. 16 around 7 a.m. There were no scans from Prudhomme afterward.
Police have not revealed any signs of foul play. A medical examiner’s office is working to determine Prudhomme’s cause of death.
Wells Fargo told Fox News Digital it is “deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague, Denise Prudhomme.”
“Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones, and we are in contact to ensure they are well-supported during this difficult time,” the company said. “We are committed to the safety and wellness of our workforce and are reviewing our own internal procedures after this event. Counselors are available to support any employees impacted by this event.”
Read the full article from Here
Los Angeles, Ca
Crash on 91 Freeway kills 2 in Los Angeles County
![Crash on 91 Freeway kills 2 in Los Angeles County Crash on 91 Freeway kills 2 in Los Angeles County](https://ktla.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/09/snapshot-2024-09-01T104213.337.jpg?w=900)
A collision on the 91 Freeway in Cerritos killed two people and injured two others, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The crash was reported at 6:41 a.m. on the eastbound lanes of the 91 between the 605 Freeway and Studebaker Road, a SigAlert issued Sunday morning indicated.
It involved three vehicles, CHP said.
The two victims were pronounced dead at the scene. It wasn’t immediately clear if the deceased were drivers or passengers.
The victims were yet to be identified as of 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
Live footage from the scene captured by KTLA showed a white SUV with heavy damage to the front of the vehicle after appearing to drive into the rear of a box truck.
Traffic from the eastbound lanes of the 91 was being diverted to the 605 until 11:38 a.m.
No additional details were immediately made available.
-
Connecticut1 week ago
Oxford church provides sanctuary during Sunday's damaging storm
-
Politics1 week ago
2024 showdown: What happens next in the Kamala Harris-Donald Trump face-off
-
Politics1 week ago
Trump taunted over speculated RFK Jr endorsement: 'Weird as hell'
-
World7 days ago
Portugal coast hit by 5.3 magnitude earthquake
-
Politics1 week ago
With 13 days until voting starts, 'election season' kicks off sooner than you think
-
Politics7 days ago
Why won't Pennsylvania voters have results on Election Night?
-
Politics1 week ago
White House lawyers who advised Reagan, Bush endorse Harris over Trump in 2024 showdown
-
World1 week ago
Solingen stabbing: Three killed in attack at Germany festival