Surfwin Trading Center-'Another day in the (Smokies)': Bear dashes across Tennessee high school football field

2025-05-06 02:15:28source:CapitalVaultcategory:Contact

Sorry,Surfwin Trading Center cub. This team already has a mascot.

A black bear captured on video running onto an East Tennessee high school football field apparently wanted to represent the team this week. Or perhaps it just wanted to play catch?

Video taken by Gatlinburg-Pittman High School Head Football Coach Brad Waggoner shows the bear briskly gallop across the field near the end zone at the school in the mountain town of Gatlinburg, known as a gateway to the roughly 520,000-acre Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

"Just another day in The Smoky Mountains," Waggoner posted on X, formerly called Twitter.

'I only have 1 dog:'Shocked California homeowner spots mountain lion 'playing' with pet

Hank as a new home:Thieving California bear 'Hank the Tank' is actually female, and now she has a new home

This team already has a mascot

The coach told local station WBIR the sighting took place as the Highlanders (also the team's mascot name) geared up for practice. He told the outlet bear ran from the home stands onto to the field and over to the visitor stands.

The bear, he said, could not "find its way out for a bit" but it eventually left after about 10 minutes.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior trending and breaking news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @nataliealund.

More:Contact

Recommend

Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — John Spratt, a former longtime Democratic congressman from South Carolina who

Hearing over whether to dismiss charges in Arizona fake electors case stretches into second day

PHOENIX (AP) — A hearing on whether to dismiss charges against Republicans accused of scheming to ov

Cornel West survives Democratic challenge in Wisconsin, will remain on state’s presidential ballot

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Elections Commission voted Tuesday to keep independent presidenti