Arizona State Mascot Mishap (Oops! That Little Devil!)

PHOENIX (AP) — Get off my back! That's the message a suburban Phoenix official has for Sparky, the Arizona State mascot. Tempe City Councilman David Schapira is filing a claim against the university, charging he was hurt when Sparky jumped on his back. Schapira tells the AP he had almost healed from back surgery when he was injured by the mascot's stunt at a game. The school has apologized. Schapira is seeking more than $96,000 in damages and an additional 27-K for medical bills. Schapira doesn't have any hard feelings toward ASU or the person playing the mascot. But he says he would have been "livid" if it was Wilbur Wildcat, from rival University of Arizona.