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Happy Birthday, Smokey!

The lovable, bluetick hound became the University of Tennessee's mascot 61 years ago.
College Football: Closeup of Tennessee mascot hound Smokey during game vs Auburn at Neyland Stadium. Knoxville, TN 11/9/2013 CREDIT: Pouya Dianat (Photo by Pouya Dianat /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X157196 TK1 R1 F54 )

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.

RELATED: Cool UT facts

ID=3445693Now 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

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