Gopher? His wife was the horse's ass

Yesterday Stan wrote that he had to explain to a Scottsdale citizen what a Gopher is and why a state would claim it as a mascot. It prompted this response from Wayne, still huddled beside the fire in Rainier, Minnesota.

Wayne writes:

How DID you explain why Minnesota chose a Gopher as a mascot? I am curious. At least it doesn't offend any culture. Or does it? I am now curious how many colleges have mammals as mascots. My wife was the horse's ass in the International Falls Broncos two-person mascot costume.
How about that tidbit -- as I wait for the temp to get up to 10 below so I can go out and start the car and run some errands.

Stan writes back: I told the guy in the New Balance shirt that the name started in the 19th Century when irony and humility were still appreciated. Who knew the name would last for centuries? The guy remembers being in Minneapolis on a business trip years ago and attending a basketball game in something the locals called "The Barn." I told him it was still there.
Kathleen bought me this Minnesota baseball cap with the word "Gophers" on the bill as a conversation starter for when we meet strangers down here. It works pretty well. Almost as good as a dog.
Hope your car starts.
We're inside right now watching the Paris shooting coverage, but Birdie wants, no needs, to go out for a walk on a lovely morning.
It was interesting listening to John Kerry speak French at a news conference. Question: in this digital day and age, why are the press still cameras so noisy? Sometimes you can hardly hear the speaker over the chattering din of the still camera. Is it a macho thing? My camera is noisier than your camera?
The President is coming here tonight. The White House doesn't ever say where he will be staying overnight, but that doesn't stop the local tourism bureau from announcing it and the tv from repeating it.
Hope that's just a decoy.