(Aurora, IL) - According to a recent non-scientific study, Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish leprechaun is highly offensive.

 

The study was conducted by Quality Logo Products, an Illinois company that prints college merchandise.

 

The Fighting Irish ranked as the fourth-most offensive college football mascot in the country. The school defended its mascot, which dates back to 1927, saying it was chosen by Irish-Americans to celebrate the resiliency of their people.

 

In related news, the study also contained bad news for Boilermakers. Purdue Pete was named the creepiest mascot in America. Quality Logo has since removed the ignominious rankings for offensive and creepy mascots. However, Purdue Pete is still listed as the second-worst mascot in the nation.