Featured Video: KFOR College Football Kickoff Special
NORMAN, STILLWATER (KFOR) - With college football in such close reach let's look at a couple of fan favorites whether you are a Cowboy or a Sooner.
Starting with Oklahoma State University fans, you can't get started this year without having some cheese fries from Stillwater's (and the nation's) most famous restaurant Eskimo Joes.
"I'd like to think it's a boy and his dog," said longtime owner Stan Clark.
Eskimo Joe’s has been a legend in Oklahoma for generations.
Besides OSU football games, the popular restaurant has been a big part of many Oklahoma families.
"Our favorite part of Eskimo Joes is the cheese fries," screamed an energetic group of kids inside the store side of Joe's.
"Yeah I'm an OU fan," said an OU fan caught sitting at the bar with a plate of piping hot cheese fries in front of him. "Listen, I'm a Sooner but every time I'm in Stillwater I will stop at Joe's for their famous cheese fries."
Another fan favorite has been around for years and is one of the more recognizable mascots of the entire league, Pistol Pete.
"I figured I would try out that first year and ended up getting selected and the rest is history," said Matt Ralls.
Ralls served as vice president of the college's student council and spent his time involved in many other on-campus organizations such as the Environmental Science Club and Freshman Representative Council. However, he kept his two years as the mascot a secret from everyone but a few individuals close to him.
Ralls, an All-American Mascot pick in 1997, said serving as Pete is not just an honor to those who portray him, but also a privilege.
“I had the unique opportunity to represent my school, unite the student body, and create lasting memories with the proud alumni of Oklahoma State, all while getting a unique view that very few see — through the eyes of Pistol Pete,” Ralls said.
Pistol Pete is based on a real-life person Frank Eaton and the Eaton's have been a huge part of Stillwater and OSU for decades.
"Go pokes!"
"No, go Sooners," said a pair of Sooners who were in their vehicle outside of Eskimo Joe's for some reason.
Over in Norman there are plenty of fan favorites Sooners can choose from but a group that's been around for over 100 years, the Oklahoma RUF/NEKS. And with them comes the RUF/NEKS Lil' Sis.
If you didn't know, they lead the way for spirit on campus and just before games. The group will shoot off guns and pull out the Sooner Schooner with the horse's Boomer and Sooner at the head.
In fact, in 2019 Sports Illustrated released its list of the 'Greatest Traditions in College Football' from across the country.
The University of Oklahoma's tradition of starting each game and celebrating every score with the Sooner Schooner and the RUF/NEKs and RUF/NEK's Lil Sis earned the top spot on the list.
"Just before every game, two horses named Boomer and Sooner )because, of course) lead the trusty old Studebaker Conestoga wagon on the field. OU gets its nickname from those who snuck into the Oklahoma territory before they were allowed, hence 'Sooners,' and the RUF/NEKS, Oklahoma's all-male spirit squad, have ridden the Schooner for 45 years," the article stated.
