Jacksonville Jaguars

Man who brought mascot Jaxson de Ville to life is stepping away

Published Jun. 23, 2015 10:39 a.m. ET

foxsports

Of all the personnel moves made by the Jacksonville Jaguars since January 2013, this one might have the biggest impact on a significant portion of their fan base.

Curtis Dvorak, who has played Jaxson de Ville since the franchise introduced the mascot in 1996, said Monday in a interview with a Jacksonville television station that he is retiring.

"It's time," the 39-year-old Dvorak told WJXT. "(I've spent) 19 seasons in that building, jumping off those light towers. Even though I tell people I started when I was 10, I actually started when I got out of college. I eat a little too much Advil -- more than I should -- and I have some really cool opportunities here in town that I have been working on for a long time."

Whether it was repelling off a light tower, skydiving into EverBank Field, or any one of a number of other stunts or sight gags, the cat mascot has been part of the Jaguars' game-day experience from their surprisingly quick rise to power through the lean times in which the team has reached the playoffs just once in the last nine years.

Dvorak was hired after spending his senior year at Virginia Tech as the school's Hokie bird mascot.

"I came to Jacksonville thinking I was only going to be here for a couple of years and head to the NBA because that's where most mascots go," he said. "But I fell in love with Jacksonville. I am not leaving. I play too much golf, and I like boating too much."

Dvorak made his first game appearance inside the Jaxson de Ville costume during the Jaguars' preseason opener against the San Francisco 49ers on Aug. 18, 1996. His last came in a nationally-televised Thursday night game, the team's regular season home finale last Dec. 18 against the Tennessee Titans.

In between, Dvorak was inside the suit for 37 preseason, 152 regular season and three postseason Jaguars games, including the 1999 AFC Championship Game. He also developed an international following, performing several times in London, including the Jaguars' two games there in 2013 and 2014.

Dvorak's final season was not without controversy. During a loss to Pittsburgh in October, the mascot held one of the Steelers' "Terrible Towels" in his right hand and a hand-written sign saying "TOWELS CARRY EBOLA" in the other. The Jaguars issued a statement of apology the following day and said they would handle the matter internally.

The Jaguars have not yet announced who will replace Dvorak.