Cleveland, Ohio (WOIO) – The Cleveland Browns confirmed the demise of their beloved bullmastiff mascot, SJ.
Swagger Jr. (SJ) was named after his father, Swagger, the Cleveland Browns’ first live mascot.
“We are so grateful for his many years of loyal support and cherish all of the wonderful memories he helped create for fans young and old,” the team told reporters. Fred and Debby McLaughlin were the certified members of the American Kennel Club’s human parents.
Debby confirmed that SJ, a 2018 birth, died unexpectedly on June 28. The McLaughlins’ son, Justin, was Swagger and Swagger Jr.’s on-field handler and ran out of the tunnel with them.
In 2014, the Browns unveiled Swagger as their first living mascot.
He ran through the tunnel at Cleveland Browns Stadium for every home game for more than five seasons before his son, SJ, took up the celebration duties on November 10, 2019.
SJ was only 11 months old when he began up where Swagger left off, making regular appearances with the Dawg Pound and at community events.
Debby McLaughlin stated that SJ and Swagger were inseparable, to the point where SJ was confused when she and her husband returned home from the vet without Swagger.
Swagger died unexpectedly in the veterinarian’s office while being treated for pneumonia problems.
To help SJ understand Swagger’s passing, DeJohn Pet Care Specialist Sherri DiPietro invited him to visit his father at the DeJohn Pet Services room on February 22, 2020, during his celebration of life.
These images of the special moment McLaughlin shared revealed exactly how close the four-legged father and son
were:
Throughout the celebration of life ritual, SJ remained close to his four-legged father and human parents.
SJ’s celebration of life events have yet to be announced.
SJ and Swagger came from the same breeder in Rootstown.
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