Rocking O bred steer is a finalist for Bevo XV

The 14th Bevo died just weeks after retiring due to his battle with Bovine Leukemia. But, the hole his death left in Austin will soon be filled.

For the past several months, the Silver Spurs have been searching throughout the state looking for the steer to fill the legendary hooves left behind. One of those candidates was found in Rusk, Texas.

"It has been a really hard year for them," says Daniel Allen. "But, I think Bubba does have what it takes to take UT right on into the future."

Allen has been the owner and trainer of Bubba for more than four years. The nearly six-year-old longhorn is in the running to be Bevo XV, carrying with him a tip-to-tip horn span of six feet. He weighs in at more than a ton.

Bubba made a public appearance Monday outside the Cherokee County Courthouse, which brought support from all the district judges in the county. A Facebook fan page has also been set up to help generate more buzz about Bubba.

The East Texas steer is part of a selective group of others who meet a strict set of requirements.

They must be Texas-born, lead steer-trained and of course burnt orange and white.

Along with getting him comfortable around people, Allen is working to train him around loud noises. "We've shot a shotgun around him, even using tannerite and blowing it up, he has remained very calm. [But] 108,000 people though, in a rural stadium, that takes some training."

Training will be conducted by the Silver Spurs.

Though Bubba was trained in the field, Allen says he is an athlete at heart.

While Bevo XIV has passed on to Longhorn heaven, Bubba looks to honor his memory and follow in the hoovesteps of greatness.

Bevo XV will be introduced to the Texas faithful during the Longhorns' football game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday, September 3, at Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium in Austin.