BREAKING: Georgia State Drops Bombshell Decision on Rivalry Games with Georgia Southern

Georgia State has denied Georgia Southern permission to bring its live bald eagle mascot, Freedom, to Saturday’s football game in Atlanta, citing liability concerns and rules against live mascots. While the decision aligns with existing policies, some critics argue it comes across as unpatriotic.

The in-state rivalry, separated by just under 200 miles, will see its 11th matchup this weekend, with Georgia State holding a narrow 6-4 lead in the series. This year’s clash debuts under an official name: the “Georgia Grown Bowl,” sponsored by the Georgia Department of Agriculture to spotlight the state’s agricultural industry. The winner will be awarded the Commissioner’s Cup by Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper.

Freedom, Georgia Southern’s 20-year-old bald eagle mascot, has been a symbol of pride since 2004. Rescued due to an injury that made survival in the wild impossible, Freedom resides at the school’s Center for Wildlife Education and typically performs awe-inspiring pregame flights over Allen E. Paulson Stadium.

Although Freedom rarely travels for away games, Georgia State’s outright ban has sparked backlash, especially since other programs, like West Virginia, have hosted the eagle without issues. Steve Hein, Freedom’s handler and Executive Director of the Wildlife Center, emphasizes that the eagle has been safely managed for years without incident.

While Georgia State maintains the decision was purely policy-driven, many see it as an unnecessary and disappointing move that takes away from the game-day experience and the spirit of the rivalry.