SAN DIEGO, CA - OCTOBER 12: Ronald Cleveland #3 of the Air Force Falcons celebrates after scoring in the 1st half against the San Diego State Aztecs at SDCCU Stadium on October 12, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images)It’s been a rough year for the Air Force Falcons, and it almost got rougher with an injury suffered to their mascot, Aurora the falcon.
Thankfully, a report from ESPN indicates that the beloved mascot is recovering. Aurora was injured when he was stolen by members of the Army Black Knights.
The report quoted Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Tracy A. Bunko, who stated that Aurora is receiving antibiotics but “was able to fly around in her pen.”
Army officials reportedly said that they would investigate the theft and injury. They apologized for the incident.
Aurora, one of Air Force's falcon mascots, was injured during a prank prior to the annual rivalry football game against Army, according to an official at the Air Force Academy. https://t.co/UrQZib074c
— Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) November 4, 2018
Aurora the falcon is 22 years old.
The Black Knights went on to win the game 17-14.
Army and Navy traditionally try to steal each other’s mascots before the Army-Navy game. According to ESPN, neither of those teams usually tries the same prank against Air Force.
The Air Force Falcons are 3-6 on the season and one loss away from losing bowl eligibility. They have already been eliminated from the Mountain West title chase.
