Ralph the Dog is the mascot of the Calgary Stampeders, a Canadian Football League team.
[2] In 2006, the Stampeders banned the Saskatchewan Roughriders mascot, Gainer the Gopher from a game.
The Stampeders organization justified the ban by saying Gainer's presence would take away from Ralph's.
Stampeders president, Ted Hellard stated, ""Our fans have earned the right for us to be led on the field by our own mascot without competition from Gainer.
"[3] Regarding the issue, Saskatchewan politician, Glenn Hagel, stated, ""It is a sad day in Saskatchewan," and adding, ""Imagine our shock and dismay at our opponent's display of bad blood and poor sportsmanship.