Ripken…the Dog who Runs out to get the Kickoff Tee in Carter-Finley has Passed Away

Ripken the Bat Dog, the fan favorite Labrador Retriever who has run out to get the kickoff tees during NC State Football games at Carter-Finley the past couple of years has tragically passed away, due to a “serious, undiagnosed medical condition.”

Honestly, there were times that the Wolfpack fans cheered louder for Ripken than anything else that transpired in the football game itself.

Ripken was also the Bat Dog for the Durham Bulls, and made appearances with the NC State Baseball team, Holly Springs Salamanders, Carolina Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes.

As you will see in one of the Instagram posts below, Ripken even made SportsCenter.

As Ripken’s owners expressed in the tweet embedded below, this dog was more than a pet, he was a “bright furry light that spread smiles around the world.”

RIP Ripken. Gameday in Carter-Finley will never be the same.

Devastated to lose this beloved member of our family.

Thank you, Ripken, for bringing so much joy to Wolfpack Nation. You will be missed 💔 pic.twitter.com/cPZ7QKKPvk

— NC State Athletics (@PackAthletics) January 3, 2025

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” @PackFootball @DurhamBulls @NHL @Canes @Panthers @TheSavBananas @PackAthletics pic.twitter.com/9hIuhfOWkh

— Ripken the Bat Dog (@RipkenTheBatDog) January 3, 2025

The goodest of boys 💔

The Salamanders organization is devastated to hear the news of the passing of the adored Ripken the Bat Dog. He put a smile on the faces of so many ‘Manders – players, fans, and staff.

Our thoughts go out to all of those who loved Ripken. pic.twitter.com/yNxHyRilHn

— Holly Springs Salamanders (@HSSalamanders) January 3, 2025

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ripken The Bat Dog (@ripkenthebatdog)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Carolina Panthers (@panthers)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ripken The Bat Dog (@ripkenthebatdog)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ripken The Bat Dog (@ripkenthebatdog)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by SportsCenter (@sportscenter)