NC State Football
Let’s Get This Straight. This is TUFFY. Not Mr. Wuf, People
I feel something needs to be cleared up once and for all. This isn’t Mr. Wuf.
This is Tuffy.
This is Mr. Wuf.
Tuffy was the primary logo for NC State for nearly 30 years (late 60’s-late 90’s), until the “Block S” took over.
In fact,
“Tuffy, the Strutting Wolf’ registered trademark of NC State is the only wolf on campus allowed to wear the Block “S” trademark,”(Link)
Also, GoPack.com confirms my dude is “Tuffy”,
Tuffy primarily has black hair. Mr. Wuf has grey hair.
Tuffy has the “Block S” on his sweater, and Mr. Wuf doesn’t. In fact, according to the trademark, he can’t.
Mr. Wuf and Mrs. Wuf were married in 1981, and the Wake Forest Demon Deacon officiated the wedding.
But…Mr. Wuf didn’t even get the name “Mr. Wuf until 1983.
1983 — According to Peeler, Scott Joseph, the man behind the mask from 1981 to 1984, was instrumental in helping the Wolfpack mascot “evolve.” He was also the one who coined the title “Mr. Wuf.”
“He was very active,” Peeler said. “He made his own costume and at some point put ‘Mr. Wuf’ on the back, and it stuck.”
In an interview with The Wolfpacker, Joseph said that he and his mother came up with the now-famous name.
“The only thing that was provided was the head, the rest you had to come up with on your own,” Joseph said. “My mom sewed a suit out of fur and gave me a jersey. So we sat down and decided to call him ‘Mr. Wuf’ and she sewed that on my jersey.” (Link)
Then the two of them renewed their vows on their 30-year anniversary in 2011. Not sure if they lost that fire, or if they were having communication issues…but here it is.
My point in all of this is to make it crystal clear that Tuffy is not Mr. Wuf.
Tuffy was solidified as a logo and icon for NC State years before Mr. Wuf was ever officially Mr. Wuf.
Don’t believe me? Check out this poster with Tuffy and NC State legends Ted Brown and Jim Ritcher.
Tuffy isn’t a sweaty dude in a suit. He’s freaking iconic. He’s trademarked. He’s a logo. The only thing allowed to impersonate him is a wild animal that wants to ravage it’s prey.
Enter from stage right…
In 2010 Tuffy, the dog, was put on the sideline as a live mascot impersonating the “strutting wolf Tuffy”.
And then in 2016 the world was introduced to Tuffy II
Yes, the live versions of the logo Tuffy, Tuffy and Tuffy II, were in fact dogs, not wolves. We used to have real wolves on the sideline, but for some reason, people thought it was dangerous.
Anyways, just thought we’d clear that up for everyone since it’s a common misconception amongst Wolfpack fans.
