JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- The man behind the most famous cat in town is hanging up his costume at the end of the month.
Curtis Dvorak has brought smiles to the faces of fans for 19 years, but he now says the time has come to end his tenure as Jaxson de Ville.
His career with the team started almost two decades ago at a 1996 pre-season game against the San Francisco 49ers.
"I was learning how to be a NFL Mascot and the Weavers were the best possible thing that could have happened at that time because they literally just said, "go!"
He initially wasn't a Jags fan, but 19 season and almost 200 games later, that's changed.
"That relationship just starts forming with the fans and it's just such a different dynamic here in Jacksonville," Dvorak said.
The retirement may come as a surprise to fans as he was on the field as recently as the Jaguars "Got Skills" rookie youth camp on Friday.
Dvorak has made a name for himself in Jacksonville and around the NFL with his unique stunts and fan-friendly appeal.
"Eight light towers and two score boards and I've jumped off every single one pretty much every single way you can," he said.
Dvorak's final day as Jaxson will be on June 30, according to the man behind the mascot. He began his career with the Jaguars on July 1, 1996.
"I raised him. Here he is. Some may say I was a bad parent at times, probably was," Dvorak said. "I feel really good about what I did and I'm really looking forward to sitting in the stands yelling and screaming and watching the Jags win again."
