And the award for creepiest MLS mascot goes to …

By: Ian Rose | May 8th, 2007

No doubt. No possible doubt. It is Real Salt Lake’s own Leonardo the Lion. He looks like the product of some ungodly union between the Cowardly Lion and that creepiest of all corporate symbols, the Burger King. Seriously, if this guy reaches behind his back and pulls out a big tasty Whopper during Thursday’s match with Colorado, it may give the CRapids such a case of the willies that we could pull ahead. Then again, I will be running away from the pub screaming with my hands waving in the air, and thus will not be able to enjoy the victory.

The lion is genuinely scary. Lacking the cuteness of, say, Cozmo of the LA Galaxy, or the coolness of Chivas USA’s ChivaFighter, who looks like some sort of well-built goat-monster, Leonardo depends on pure, unadulterated fear to rule his jungle kingdom. The scariest thing, aside from his association with the Burger King, who totally freaks me out, is the lack of whites in his eyes. Look at his closeup:

Those are the cold, black eyes of a killer. Don’t get me wrong – I’m glad he’s on our side, but if I was a kid at a Real match and that thing tried to slap my hand, I would be scared witless. Way to go, marketing team.

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Category: Team News

Tags: Creepiest Mascot Ever, Leonardo the Lion, Real Salt Lake, RSL, Team News

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• Clint |  May 8th, 2007 at 3:36 pm

  
  
  

  Hey Ian, I’m going to the RSL/Colorado game on Thursday, is there anything you want me to look out for/photograph?

  Posted from United States

  

• Ian |  May 8th, 2007 at 4:00 pm

  
  
  

  Wow … nothing in particular, but I’d love to take a look at your photos. Any photos not showing our defense being shredded would make me feel better, but those showing just that are probably the most instructive. Thanks for the offer.

  Posted from United States

  

• leo lover |  May 9th, 2007 at 6:52 am

  
  
  

  Leo also has no tail.

  Creepy.

  Posted from United States

  

• Jeff Bull |  May 9th, 2007 at 10:13 am

  
  
  

  The voiceless, fixed-smile Burger King is pure marketing genius.

  Posted from United States

  

• Laurie |  May 9th, 2007 at 6:50 pm

  
  
  

  Yeah, let’s hope that the new RSL stadium has liquid-impermeable seats in the kiddie section.

  Posted from United States

  

• Wiz |  May 10th, 2007 at 5:42 am

  
  
  

  I was happy to see that Leo no longer rides a BIKE out on to the field anymore!! How ridiculous was that? At least he has a motorcycle now.

  Posted from United States

  

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