INDIANA — For the second consecutive year, the Indianapolis Colts’ lovable, trouble-making horse, Blue, has been officially crowned the NFL Mascot of the Year.
The announcement, delivered via a team press release, marks the fifth time in Blue’s highly decorated career that he has taken home the league’s top honor. The award recognizes a single mascot across all 32 NFL franchises for sheer excellence in fan engagement, community impact, overall creativity, game-day performance, and long-standing contributions to the mascot profession.
First introduced to fans in September 2006 during a regular-season home opener against the Houston Texans at the RCA Dome, Blue is now gearing up for his 21st season with the franchise. Over the last two decades, the anthropomorphic blue horse has built a legendary reputation for high-energy sideline antics, choreographed dance routines, elaborate skits, and physics-defying viral trick shots.
With this latest victory, Blue adds yet another major milestone to a resume that already rivals some of the greatest to ever put on a costume. His career accolades now include:
- 5x NFL Mascot of the Year (Winning the inaugural award in 2016, followed by titles in 2019, 2023, 2025, and now 2026).
- 3x Mascot Skit of the Year (2017, 2018, 2019).
- Mascot Hall of Fame Inductee (Class of 2020), cementing his place alongside sports icons at the national museum in Whiting, Indiana.
While Colts fans are used to seeing Blue terrorize opposing sidelines or playfully shove pastries into the faces of unsuspecting fans at Lucas Oil Stadium, the character’s reach extends far beyond football.
Earlier this month, Blue won “Best on TikTok” at the 2026 Hashtag Sports Awards in New York City. Boasting a massive community of 9.4 million followers, Blue currently leads all professional sports mascots in TikTok following, using the platform for viral comedy shorts and “day-in-the-life” glimpses behind the mask.
Additionally, Blue remains heavily anchored in community outreach. Throughout the offseason, the mascot stays busy performing at more than a hundred free youth-focused school shows annually, promoting literacy, fitness, and anti-bullying programs to students all across Indiana.
The continuous league-wide recognition is determined by a vote of Blue’s fellow mascot peers across the NFL, making the back-to-back victories a powerful statement of industry respect.
“To be recognized by our peers across the NFL is incredibly humbling,” said Trey Mock, the creative director of the Colts Mascot Program and the man who has brought Blue to life since his 2006 inception.
“This award belongs to Colts fans, our organization, and everyone who has allowed me to be part of their lives over the years,” Mock said. “Whether it’s creating memories at Lucas Oil Stadium, visiting schools, supporting community causes, or simply making someone smile, that’s what this job is all about.”
Fans looking to keep up with the award-winning character’s upcoming training camp schedule, or those interested in booking a public appearance, can find more information directly at Colts.com/Blue.
