What is Ole Miss' landshark? Rebels on-field celebration, origin, explained
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
College football is rich in traditions, new and old.
The sport has had no issue keeping old traditions upheld by programs since the beginning. The sport has also been accepting of new traditions as new generations of players bring new ideas into the fold.
An example of a newer tradition in the sport is the “Landshark” for Ole Miss football. If a Rebels player makes a big play against Miami in the College Football Playoff Fiesta Bowl semifinal on Thursday, Jan. 8, they may celebrate the big play by putting a hand to their forehead in the shape of a shark fin.
But what does that celebration ―coined the Landshark ― mean, college football fans tuning into Ole Miss football for the first time, may wonder?
Here’s what you need to know about the “Landshark” ahead of Ole Miss‘ CFP Fiesta Bowl semifinal game against Miami on Thursday:
What does ‘Landshark‘ mean for Ole Miss football?
The Landshark celebration for Ole Miss dates back to the 2008 season. The Rebels were coming off four straight losing seasons but put together a 9-4 campaign, which included a victory 47-34 over Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 2, 2009.
Senior linebacker Tony Fein, an Army veteran who served a one-year tour in the Iraq War before arriving in Oxford, Mississippi, originated the term during that season, where Ole Miss’ defense ranked fourth in the nation in rushing.
According to the Jackson Clarion Ledger, Fein was the first to use celebration in pre-season practice, with “Fins Up” taking over as the team’s motto during the season.
Fein died of an accidental overdose in 2009, but his legacy at Ole Miss lives on through the celebration.
In 2017, the university announced the Landshark as the official mascot of the Ole Miss Rebels in October. Tony was unveiled in August of 2018.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is Ole Miss’ landshark? Rebels on-field celebration, explained
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos