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In 1889, while Yale trounced Harvard 6-0 in the 12th playing of The Game, a special guest sat on the sideline: the first-ever live college mascot in the world.

While Harvard proudly maintains superiority over Yale in many aspects, the one major shortcoming is Yale’s dominance in the world of mascots, with the lovable bulldog Handsome Dan.

Back in 1889, Yale student Andrew Barbey Graves purchased the original Dan for the price of five dollars, equivalent to around $170 today. Handsome Dan I was beloved by students and New Haven community members for his appearances at many Yale sporting events, primarily football and baseball. He made for a good animal attendee because of his tolerance to loud noises and crowds, and his gentle demeanor with children.

Handsome Dan I also possessed a critical anti-Harvard streak. When he was commanded to “speak to Harvard,” Handsome Dan I would bark ferociously and be filled with physical rage.

On top of being a mascot, Handsome Dan I also won first place in the Westminster Dog Show and over thirty other first-place titles within the United States and Canada.

Handsome Dan I retired to England in 1897 to reunite with his owner after eight years as mascot, passing away peacefully in 1898. Graves taxidermied Handsome Dan I and returned him to Yale, where he is displayed in a trophy room.

Thirty-five years later, Handsome Dan II was bought for pennies and gifted to football head coach Ducky Pond. In 1934, before The Game, Handsome Dan II was dognapped by Harvard, reviving Yale’s mascot scene and establishing the Handsome Dan legacy.

In the past 92 years, there have been 17 more Handsome Dans, many great stories, and some unfortunate but unique deaths and incidents that warrant recognition.

Most of the Handsome Dans were charismatic bulldogs who thrived in stardom, but the lifestyle of the famous isn’t for everyone.

Both Handsome Dan III and VIII had to retire very early in their careers, only two games and one year, respectively, due to “emotional instability” and immense discomfort in large public settings.

Handsome Dan VII had attitude issues and a bad temper, retiring young to the warmer climate of Florida, where he spent his days utilizing his natural talents in the watchdog industry.

One of the most tragic stories came from Handsome Dan VI. In 1947, he was appointed to the role at only eight weeks old. He served for two years, but at the Harvard-Yale game of 1949, the fireworks from the Harvard victory celebration (in combination with the devastation of the loss) were too much to handle. A heart attack ended his time carrying the torch as the Yale mascot.

Handsome Dan IX was a bit more fortunate in his time. While visiting the Yale boathouse, he stumbled off the dock and found himself with his head submerged in the mud, unable to get free. Luckily, he was pulled from the mud, resuscitated, and able to continue his position. Handsome Dan IX died of kidney failure after six years of holding his title.

The toughest fighter of any of the 19 Handsome Dans was Handsome Dan XIII, also known as “Maurice.” Maurice was appointed in 1984, and he survived a major car accident resulting in a broken hip and three pins implanted during surgery in 1988. Still, he made an appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1989.

When asked if he would rather join Harvard or die, Maurice would play dead. He retired in 1995, but less than a year later, after his successor died of a heart attack, Maurice stepped back into the spotlight to fulfill the needs of Yale students for the remainder of the year. Maurice died of old age in 1997 and remains the longest-serving Handsome Dan in history.

This year, the sharp-eyed observer might be able to spot Handsome Dan XIX — who took over in 2021 — looking on at The Game, hoping to carry on the legacy of his predecessors and avoid the tragic fates of others.

—Staff writer Luke B. Lawson can be reached at luke.lawson@thecrimson.com.