Happy Birthday, Smokey!
The lovable, bluetick hound became the University of Tennessee's mascot 61 years ago. The Rocky Top tradition began in 1953 with a hunting dog named Blue Smokey. The dog won UT Pep Club's contest for a live mascot, and the rest is history.
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Now nine bluetick hounds later, Smokey X continues to guard the end zones inside Neyland Stadium. His owners, Charles and Cindy Hudson, are second-generation Smokey owners.
HOMEGROWN: Smokey X