The Arizona Cardinals’ mascot, Big Red, found himself in the spotlight over the weekend after a lively meetup with rapper and influencer Rubi Rose during quarterback Kyler Murray’s celebrity softball game on Saturday, May 17, 2025, in Glendale. The 27-year-old Kentucky-born star, known for her bold persona and music career, was a guest at the charity event, and her one-on-one time with Big Red quickly turned heads. Photos and videos of their interaction—described as raunchy by multiple outlets—hit the internet, sparking a viral storm that’s made Big Red, already one of the NFL’s most recognizable mascots, even more of a household name.
The content, which surfaced on platforms like X and was reported by TotalProSports and NewsBreak, shows Big Red and Rubi Rose in playful and suggestive poses, a stark departure from the mascot’s usual family-friendly antics. Rubi Rose, who rose to fame with hits like “Big Mouth” in 2019 and has since built a massive following, brought her signature flair to the event, and Big Red clearly embraced the moment. Fans on social media had a field day, with reactions ranging from amusement to disbelief—some jokingly speculated that the person inside the costume might have worked their last day, while others expressed newfound interest in becoming a mascot themselves, inspired by Big Red’s “wild” behavior.
This isn’t the first time Rubi Rose has stirred headlines in sports circles; her appearance at Murray’s event aligns with her history of high-profile interactions, like her rumored links to athletes and her 2023 feud with Cardi B. For Big Red, a mascot who’s been a Cardinals staple since 1998, the incident marks a rare controversial moment in an otherwise wholesome tenure that includes entertaining fans at State Farm Stadium with dances and skits. The Cardinals, sitting at 17-25 in the NFC West as of today, May 19, haven’t commented on the viral content, leaving fans to wonder if there’ll be any repercussions for the person behind the beak.
While the raunchy photos and videos have undoubtedly boosted Big Red’s notoriety, they’ve also sparked debate about the boundaries of mascot behavior in the NFL, where mascots are typically expected to maintain a kid-friendly image. Whether this leads to a change in Big Red’s role—or inspires a new wave of mascot hopefuls as some fans suggested—remains to be seen. For now, the Cardinals’ feathered friend is the talk of the league, proving that even a mascot can steal the show in the most unexpected ways.
