‘Headed on sa-cat-ical’: Jaguars move big cat stadium statue during renovations

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A landmark at EverBank Stadium is leaving. But don’t worry, fans. It’s only a temporary move.

The iconic Jaguars statue named Touchdown, was lifted, loaded and hauled away Tuesday as work continues to ramp up on the Stadium of the Future. Touchdown has been in front of the stadium for as long as the Jaguars have been playing. The team playfully said in a post that “our beloved Touchdown is headed on sabbatical.”

The Jaguars posted a short video to social media showing their stadium greeting jungle cat, which weighs 2,850 pounds, being lifted up into the air and placed on the back of a flatbed truck to be taken away to parts unknown. Mascot Jaxson de Ville playfully tries to keep the heavy machinery from lifting Touchdown onto the truck.

Touchdown has been a focal point at the stadium since Jacksonville’s first game against the Houston Oilers in 1995. It has been the premier spot for photos for as long as it has been around. The 16-foot-long statue has served as the greeting point for fans for decades. The team said he will return to his permanent home at the new stadium in August 2028.