AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – The University of Texas says its longhorn steer mascot Bevo XIV has been diagnosed with cancer and will retire.
The university said Tuesday that the steer, whose given name is Sunrise Studly, was preliminarily diagnosed last week with bovine leukemia virus. The diagnosis was confirmed by several veterinarians.
Bevo XIV began his tenure as the Texas mascot at the age of 2 in 2004. He was a part of back-to-back Rose Bowl victories, including the January 2006 win that resulted in the BCS national championship.
The search for Bevo XV will begin immediately. It’s anticipated that Bevo XV will be on the sidelines for the 2016 football season.