By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Though he has his own security detail, and his own merchandise line, fame has reportedly not gone to Pudge’s head. Give him food and a soft place to nap, and the orange cat is perfectly content.
“He has no idea” how famous he is, said his owner, George Carlson.
With his face smushed in and his tongue stuck out, the 3-year-old exotic shorthair is cute and ugly at the same time. Add in his bowtie, and Pudge looks oddly distinguished.
The locker room cat for the Bowling Green State University football team and his owner took their show on the road Tuesday with a visit to St. Aloysius School in Bowling Green.
Not bad for a feline whose life basically consisted of eating, sleeping, and eating more, just a couple months ago.
According to Carlson, Pudge came from humble beginnings. After researching the characteristics of docile cat breeds to determine which kind would be best for their son, Carlson’s parents met with a breeder in a grocery store parking lot on the south side of Chicago.
“They met a woman on a jazzy scooter with a basket on the front,” Carlson said. In the basket was little Pudge, under a blanket.
The family fell for the flat faced feline.
“He kind of looks like ET wrapped in a blanket,” Carlson said, recalling the “baby pictures” he has of Pudge.
Carlson, a long snapper with the Falcon football team, and Pudge lived a quiet life together until a practice earlier in the season when Carlson decided the team could use a little lift. The cat was an instant morale booster in the locker room.
Even Head Coach Eddie George – who is reportedly allergic to cats – fell for Pudge. “I think he really likes Pudge,” Carlson said of his coach.
A teammate posted a video of the “very chill” Pudge.
“It blew up from there,” Carlson said. “Everybody loves Pudge, so I hear. He’s a very approachable cat.”
Pudge is now a fixture at games, having attended all except one away game at Ohio University – often hanging out with Carlson’s dad, who is a veterinarian.
The feline celebrity is being credited for boosting attendance at home games which has grown 60% this year – of course that may have something to do with Eddie George taking over as head coach.
When Carlson and his cat arrived at St. Al’s Tuesday afternoon, Pudge’s fame preceded him. As soon as the office staff noticed the cat looking out of the backpack window, they gathered around to get a glimpse.
The football player and his feline were escorted to the gym, where each class came in to get a close up look at Pudge. Carlson brought a few toys to keep the cat’s attention, but they were really not necessary.
Pudge was all about the petting. He patiently stood on a table, as all the preschool through eighth grade students filed past and ran their hands over his fur.
“He’s so soft,” one student purred.
Though Pudge may look grumpy, Carlson assured the kids that he’s not.
“He loves being pet,” Carlson said, as he handed out stickers of Pudge to all the students.
“I’m putting this on my water bottle,” one student said as he pocketed the sticker.
“You can now say you pet the famous Pudge,” St. Al’s Principal Andrea Puhl told the students.
Each class posed for a group photo with Pudge, who was uncommonly cooperative.
Students were full of questions about the curiously calm cat.
“Can he see?” one boy asked, based on Pudge’s squinty eyes.
“Yes, he’s got some allergies, just like us,” Carlson said.
Where did the name Pudge come from? His face fits that name, Carlson said.
“Does his tongue stick out permanently?” another student asked.
“It’s like that most of the time,” Carlson responded.
Students chanted “Pudge” and shot their hands into the air when their principal said “raise your hand if Pudge is one of the cutest cats you’ve ever seen.”
Staff at the school also weren’t immune to Pudge’s charms.
“I think the teachers are as excited as the kids,” Puhl said. “I want a cat so bad, and I’m allergic.”
For the special occasion, first grade teacher Heidi Dulaney was wearing pants with a brightly colored cat print.
“Do I own cat pants regularly? One hundred percent,” Dulaney confessed. “I’m the crazy cat lady.”
Though Pudge was the celebrity in the room, Carlson also spoke with all the students about his going to a Catholic high school, and relying on his faith during difficult times. He shared how his mom was his moral compass and idol. When she died in 2024, Carlson turned to God.
“My faith really helped me,” he said. “The more you trust in God, the easier you get through hard stuff.”
Puhl said Carlson’s message was important for St. Al’s students.
“For them to hear from an athlete about his faith is big,” she said.
And of course, he has Pudge.
“He cheers me up all the time,” Carlson said.
