50 signatures reached
To: Austin FC
Retire Speedbump the Armadillo
Austin FC’s use of Speedbump the Armadillo as a live mascot needs to end.
Armadillos are not entertainment. They are nocturnal, solitary animals with poor eyesight and extremely sensitive hearing. Exposing Speedbump to flashing lights, loud crowds, music, and stadium chaos is stressful, unnatural, and inhumane. It’s animal cruelty — plain and simple.
This isn’t who Austin is. We are a city that deeply values animals, nature, and compassion. A frightened armadillo on the sidelines doesn’t reflect our community — it betrays it.
We, the undersigned, call on Austin FC to:
• Retire Speedbump
• Uphold Austin’s values of kindness, sustainability, and respect for wildlife
Let Speedbump live the quiet life he deserves — safe, free from stress, and far from stadium lights. Sign now. Share widely. Let’s send a clear message: Austin stands against animal cruelty.
Armadillos are not entertainment. They are nocturnal, solitary animals with poor eyesight and extremely sensitive hearing. Exposing Speedbump to flashing lights, loud crowds, music, and stadium chaos is stressful, unnatural, and inhumane. It’s animal cruelty — plain and simple.
This isn’t who Austin is. We are a city that deeply values animals, nature, and compassion. A frightened armadillo on the sidelines doesn’t reflect our community — it betrays it.
We, the undersigned, call on Austin FC to:
• Retire Speedbump
• Uphold Austin’s values of kindness, sustainability, and respect for wildlife
Let Speedbump live the quiet life he deserves — safe, free from stress, and far from stadium lights. Sign now. Share widely. Let’s send a clear message: Austin stands against animal cruelty.
Why is this important?
Using Speedbump the anArmadillo as live entertainment at Austin FC events raises significant concerns about animal welfare and ethics. Armadillos are nocturnal, solitary animals with highly specialized needs. The loud, chaotic environment of a stadium—with bright lights, amplified music, and tens of thousands of shouting fans—creates a stressful and unnatural setting for any wild animal. Prolonged exposure to these stressors can cause severe anxiety, health complications, and shortened lifespans in animals forced into such situations.
From an ethical perspective, using Speedbump as entertainment sends the wrong message to fans—especially children—about how animals should be treated. It normalizes the exploitation of wildlife for human amusement, rather than promoting respect and conservation. Austin FC has an opportunity to lead by example with humane, engaging alternatives that celebrate the team’s identity without causing harm.
In an era when sports organizations worldwide are moving away from animal-based entertainment, continuing to use a live armadillo risks public backlash and undermines Austin FC’s reputation as a progressive, community-minded club. Retiring Speedbump from public performances would align with modern values, safeguard the animal’s welfare, and demonstrate that Austin FC stands for compassion as well as competition.