Why We Bowl: PJ Fleck drenched in 5 gallons of mayo after Golden Gophers Duke’s Mayo Bowl Victory

College football is nothing without its traditions, and few are as gloriously absurd as the Duke’s Mayo Bowl coach’s mayo bath. This year head coach PJ Fleck leaned all the way in, basking in both the glory of a 24-10 Golden Gophers’ victory over Virginia Tech and the cold, slimy embrace of five gallons of mayonnaise.

PJ Fleck drenched in 5 gallons of mayo:

The replay of @Coach_Fleck's Mayo Bath has his full reaction and the full reaction from Anthony Smith and it is GOLD pic.twitter.com/63mpc1vjDb

— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) January 4, 2025

The Hold Steady: “And he loved the Golden Gophers but he hated all the drawn-out winters…”

If you don’t listen to The Hold Steady, grow up.

Anyways, I’m not a mayo guy at all. If we’re talking hoagies, then I much rather go the oil route. Mixing both isn’t even an option and anyone who thinks so should be jailed. On top of that, here in Philly, if you put mayo on your cheesesteak, you’re a disgusting human.

I will do a light spread of mayo from time-to-time but anything more than that is a no from me, so I definitely understand Anthony Smith’s reaction to PJ Fleck getting drenched in 5 GALLONS of Duke’s Mayo.

Add it to the list…

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Why We Bowl: “Double the Mayo, Double the Fun”

The insanity of Fleck demanding a “double,” fully aware of what he was getting into is a prime example of why we bowl. That’s the kind of commitment that wins college football games—and the hearts of god-fearing patriots across the United States of America.

Where else are you going to see someone willingly drenched in mayonnaise? It’s a tradition that’s equal parts disgusting and beautiful, the perfect encapsulation of college football’s glorious weirdness.

There’s no other time in the year when we gather to watch mayonnaise rain down on a coach in celebration, and honestly, we’d miss it if it were gone. It’s gross, but it’s ours.

Bowl Games Matter

Beyond the mayo antics, PJ Fleck used the moment to deliver an impassioned plea for the importance of bowl games in college football. With the playoff format ever-expanding, some have questioned the future relevance of smaller bowl games. For Fleck, though, these games are a cornerstone of the sport.

“I hope one day we never, ever go away from bowl games,” Fleck said. “That’s what makes college football really special, and that’s what makes it really fun. I hope we never take those things away from our student-athletes.”

Say what you will about the mayo bath, but Fleck’s sentiment is spot on. Bowl games are a celebration, a reward for players, and a chance for schools to cap off their seasons with memories like this—messy, weird, unforgettable memories.

Traditions like the Duke’s Mayo bath might seem ridiculous, but they’re exactly why we love college football. It’s not just about the game; it’s about the moments, the madness, and yes, the mayonnaise.

So here’s to Fleck, his bald head, and the five gallons of mayo that made this bowl game unforgettable. In America, we bowl—and it’s beautifully, disgustingly perfect.

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