Big Red may be a shapeless blob, but to fans of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers this furry mascot couldn't be more inspiring. Embodying the students' intense school pride, Red is a belly-sliding, crowd-surfing daredevil who's not afraid to risk life and limb to get the Hilltopper faithful fired up. This big blob is also a big hit off the court, having earned a spot on the Capital One All-America Mascot Team two years running. Recently, Red got real with Playboy.com about pesky hecklers, his enormous appetite, and why those cute Kentucky coeds just can't get enough of his big red love.

Playboy.com: What is Big Red's personality like?
Big Red: I'll mingle and make friends, but I'm never afraid to show some attitude to the opposing fans. Big Red will not get punked in his own house.

PB: How do you show attitude?
Big Red: I'll use the "bring it on" gesture with my hands and call out the other team's mascot, just to let him know he's being watched.

PB: Do the opposing fans heckle you?
Big Red: Yeah, I get that quite a bit. At Auburn this year, I was called some pretty rude things.

PB: Like what?
Big Red: First it was "M&M" and "Grimace," then it got worse. They said I looked like a blood clot.

PB: Whoa, that's not nice. How did you respond?
Big Red: In a situation like that I just look over and throw my arms out. You're in unfamiliar territory and you don't know what the fans are thinking, so you just have to go about your business.

PB: Do you have any signature moves?
Big Red: Big Red really loves the belly slide.

PB: What's that?
Big Red: During basketball season, I'll set up the cheerleaders' megaphones then take off running and slide into them. I also engage in crowd surfing, if I can find the right group of students to pass me around. And once a year or so, I will rappel down from the ceiling.

PB: Sounds pretty dangerous. Have you ever gotten hurt?
Big Red: No, but the previous Big Red tried to dunk a ball during a game, slipped off the rim and fell flat on his back. He was down for the count, and his blooper was broadcast on ESPN.

PB: Your mouth is just huge. Do you put stuff in it?
Big Red: I'll eat basketballs, footballs, volleyballs -- any kind of ball. If somebody's wearing a hat and I want it, it's going in the belly. I've even been known to put people's heads in my mouth -- heck, you could put a small child in there.

PB: Have you tried?
Big Red: No, I don't know that I'll ever do that one.

PB: So how do you keep busy during the game?
Big Red: I mingle with the crowd. I'll get someone to clap and then I'll pick up their popcorn to see if I can get a reaction out of them. You could also say I baby-sit, because as soon as Big Red comes up, the little kids start swarming.

PB: Do fans ever get overly enthusiastic?
Big Red: Definitely. I'll mingle with them while they're tailgating, and they'll come running to give me a hug and almost knock me down. It's all in fun, though. Seeing how pumped up they are gets me fired up and ready to start the game.

PB: Is Big Red a flirt?
Big Red: Yeah, especially with the female fans. Ladies like Big Red.

PB: How do you put the moves on someone?
Big Red: I'll go up to a girl and put my arm around her. If she's sitting next to her boyfriend, I'll go up and motion for him to scoot over so I can sit between them. Big Red's just a magnet; they can't resist.

PB: Have you ever gotten hit on while in costume?
Big Red: Of course. Once I made an appearance at a local business and these sorority girls came up and started hitting on me, wanting me to come back to their sorority house. I didn't go of course, but I had the opportunity.

PB: You turned them down?
Big Red: There were no hard feelings. I saw them later at the game, and they were just as loving toward Big Red as before.

PB: What's the best thing about the costume?
Big Red: The stomach area is lined with hula hoops, so when you grab a hoop and move it around, it looks like you're shaking your belly. The crowd loves that.

PB: Would you ever be a professional mascot?
Big Red: I'd consider it. It'd be pretty cool to get paid to be a jackass.