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Community
Paul E. Brown

Three forms--all beloved.

Obie is like Santa Claus in Massillon. Children are sometimes scared of him. Santa delivers presents, Obie helps Massillon win football games. The original Obie is an instrument-playing band member in a real tiger skin--and has been since 1938.

The artistic rendition of Obie is an enduring mascot, created by an unidentified artist. Two similar versions of Obie began appearing in Tyson Roller Bearings ads in Massillon football programs in 1939. Most likely someone at Tyson's created both the running Obie--most associated with Massillon football--and the less familiar "close-up" Obie, with his helmet askew.

The "live" tiger version of Obie started prowling the Massillon sidelines in 1970. Each year a tiger cub, loaned to Massillon by a zoo, receives treatment befitting a king during its stay. Donations are collected at Massillon home games to help pay for the tiger cub's care.

"Paul Brown and I were in Pittsburgh watching the University of Pittsburgh play. Between halves, out came a Panther. Two fellas in uniform with three socks on and something over their head. It was the lousiest thing you'd ever seen, with all due respect to the University of Pittsburgh. Paul turned to me and laughed a little bit. We had quite a little discussion and he said, 'Why can't we have a tiger skin, L.J.? A real tiger skin.' I said, 'Why not?' They passed a resolution by the Athletic Board and in a couple of weeks we had the nicest tiger skin."

L.J. Smith
Massillon Superintendent of Schools

- on the birth of Obie, Massillon's mascot.

"Obie candidates have to write an essay about why they want to be Obie. Then they have to put together a three-minute routine that they do in the skin. They have to show how they're going to bring that costume to life. Obie needs big movements, they have to bring character to life. They have to be energetic. They have to be able to prepare their own routines for the things we do each week. It has to be somebody who likes kids. Everybody kind of brings their own 'take' to Obie, depending on what kind of personality they have. It's fun to watch that."

Chris Smith
Massillon Band Director, Since 1991

- on selecting a band member to play Obie.

"Everyone thinks I designed Obie. I've met three people who claim to have designed Obie. I did not. We really don't know who did."

Junie Studer
Massillon Tiger Sign Painter
Booster Club President, 1972

- on the curious origin of Massillon's beloved mascot.