Auburn's eagle mascot OK after stadium crash

AUBURN, Ala. - The director of an Alabama raptor center says Auburn University's beloved eagle mascot, Spirit, is doing fine after crashing into a stadium luxury box in front of thousands of fans.

Jamie Bellah, director of AU's Southeastern Raptor Center, tells The Opelika-Auburn News he's not sure why the bald eagle careened into the luxury box window.

He said the routine for the pre-game flight, a ritual at home games, was very normal for Saturday's game against Mississippi State.

The 14-year-old eagle circled high above Jordan-Hare Stadium before colliding with the window, continuing its flight and descending to a handler on the field. Bellah said an exam and blood work done later revealed no problems.

Spirit came to the raptor center in 1998 after sustaining wing and beak injuries in Florida.

The tradition of AU's winged mascot circling the stadium prior to home football games dates back to the early 2000s, Bellah told The Opelika-Auburn News.