Who is ‘Pistol Pete’? All we know about Rickie Fowler’s superfan’s costume in Japan

Rickie Fowler’s superfan donned the popular mascot of Oklahoma State University, Pistol Pete, to cheer for the American golfer in Japan. Fowler is playing in this week’s Zozo Championship, which began with its first round on Thursday, October 24. To support his favorite golfer around the time of Halloween, an avid fan dressed up in the iconic mascot costume.

Pistol Pete is the athletic mascot of Rickie Fowler’s college, Oklahoma State University. The golfer studied at the university and played amateur golf before starting his professional career in 2009.

The fan wore a cowboy-themed costume with an orange hat and scarf, and a half-sleeve black jacket over a white shirt, resembling Pistol Pete. The fan also sported Pete’s long mustache.

Pistol Pete understood the assignment 🟠⚫️ https://t.co/M0tdUOFHVH pic.twitter.com/oZr2MpA6Zg

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 24, 2024

Pistol Pete was officially adopted as the mascot of Oklahoma State University in 1984. The look resembles a traditional cowboy, inspired by Frank Eaton, a popular scout and sheriff.

In 1923, a group from Oklahoma A&M College, now known as Oklahoma State University, saw Eaton riding a horse at an Armistice Day parade and were impressed by his unique appearance. They decided to create Pistol Pete as the official mascot of their college inspired by Eaton, replacing the previous one, a tiger in orange and black colors known as Princeton of the Prairie’.

In 1958, Pistol Pete was adopted as the mascot, and in 1984, it was officially sanctioned and became the licensed symbol of the university.