A tar heel is a name used to describe residents of North Carolina, dating back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The term was originally used to imply that they worked in a lowly trade. During the Civil War, North Carolina soldiers turned the meaning of the term into an accolade, calling it “tar heel”. Rameses, the official mascot of the North Carolina Tar Heels since 1924, has been part of a unique family of Tar Heels who have worn the suit.
The idea for using a ram as a mascot came from the nickname for star Tar Heel fullback Jack Merritt, known as the “Battering Ram”. Huggins obtained $25 from the University for the mascot and ordered a live ram from Texas. They named him Rameses. The anthropomorphic version of him wears a Tar Heels jersey.
For nearly 70 years, the mascot of North Carolina’s football team has been a ram. The idea for using a ram as a mascot came from the nickname for star Tar Heel fullback Jack Merritt, known as the “Battering Ram”. Huggins obtained $25 from the University for the mascot and ordered a live ram from Texas. They named him Rameses.
The costume version of Rameses came in the late 80s. Since 1924, a live Dorset Horn Sheep with Carolina blue horns has embodied the spirit of the Tar Heels. Rameses has been the official mascot of the North Carolina Tar Heels since 1924.
📹 North Carolina Tarheels Mascot Secret Revealed…Sort Of!
If you’ve ever wanted to know how The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill chose their nickname and mascot, this is the …
📹 Behind the Horns
Every Tar Heel knows Daniel Wood, even if they don’t know his name. The graduating senior has spent his college years …
Add comment