Posted Apr 27th 2008 8:01AM by Charles Rich

It doesn’t get the attention of Ralphie or Bevo, but UNC has their own live mascot for football games. A blue horned ram named Rameses. Well, they are given the title of Rameses after they take the mantle.

The latest is actually named Pablo, but will now be known as Rameses XVIII. The 3 year-old ram ascended by killing his father — the now deceased Rameses XVII.

Rameses and Pablo shared a field at Hogan’s farm outside Carrboro. On April 13, they butted heads, as rams are occasionally wont. This particular collision was so jarring that it snapped off one of the older ram’s horns.

An infection set-in and despite the antibiotics, it wasn’t enough. Rameses died 10 days later. Say what you want about a ram as opposed to a buffalo or a steer with regards to intimidation factors on the sideline. There is something fearsome about a mascot that takes over after killing the predecessor.

It’s an 84 year tradition of one line of rams, that has apparently blown through them over the years. Admittedly nature plays a role. The lifespan of a ram averages only 10 years or so.