The idea to use a live longhorn as the university's mascot is attributed to UT alumnus Stephen Pinckney in 1916.

Pinckney gathered $124 from other alumni to purchase a steer in the Texas Panhandle, which they originally named "Bo" and shipped to Austin.

After the game, Ben Dyer (the campus magazine editor) declared, "His name is Bevo, and long may he reign!"

One popular theory is that Cadets from Texas A&M stole the mascot to brand 13 – 0, which was the score the Aggies had won by the year before.

[4] Baker is past president of the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America and serves as a judge in its competitions.

Bevo XIII, originally named Sunrise Express, was a champion steer at the age of 3, before becoming the UT mascot.

[5] During his tenure, he presided over four (1990, 1994, 1995, 1996) conference football championships and a Heisman Trophy award for Ricky Williams.

[11] Bevo XV broke free of handlers during the January 1, 2019 Sugar Bowl, scattering reporters as he almost reached the University of Georgia mascot Uga X, an English bulldog.

He also typically makes appearances at important pep rallies, such as the ones in the weeks before the games against Texas A&M and Oklahoma.

Since 1945, the care of Bevo during his transportation and appearances has been entrusted to an honorary organization of undergraduate students called the Silver Spurs.