Florida Man's Quest for Record-Breaking Team Mascot Photoshoot

Tod Stutzman, a Florida man, is on a quest to break the record for most photographed person with different mascots. He hopes his decades-long tradition will earn him a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Sports teams use mascots to boost team spirit and energize fans. Tod Stutzman has taken advantage of this opportunity, capturing over 250 mascot photoshoots throughout his lifetime.

"Anybody can go get an autograph from a player, sign a baseball," Stutzman said. "But how many times do you get a chance to take a picture with the team's mascot? There is only one of those for every team."

Stutzman's mascot mania began in 1992 with a photo shoot with Boomer, the Indiana Pacers' mascot. Most of his encounters are with sports teams, but there are occasional product mascots.

"I'm driving down the road one day and there's the Cheeto guy," he said. "Pull in, let's go get a picture with the Cheeto guy!"

Stutzman doesn't have a favorite mascot, as they're all fun to him. He does mention that one of his rarest and hardest-to-get photos is with the New Orleans Hornet, which only existed for 6-7 years.

He has submitted the official paperwork to Guinness and is now waiting to see if he'll be recognized as the most photographed person with different mascots – a title that's currently unclaimed.

In the meantime, you can find Stutzman at sporting events, seeking out his next mascot encounter. "You go to Guest Services when you first get there and ask, 'Where is the mascot going to be?' 'Oh, top of the third inning he will be up in the kids club.' I'm like the only adult standing in the kids line trying to get a picture with TC from the Twins or South Paw from the White Sox," Stutzman said.

"I'm 60-plus years old, and I get to act like a 12-year-old again. It's fun."