How Baldwin got his Eagle on at the CMAs

‘Carrie. Underwood. Is. Flawless’

Wednesday evening at the 49th CMA Awards, history was made.

The largest number of NCAA Mascots ever assembled for the performance.

Yes, the CMAs had Justin Timberlake, and poked at Blake and Miranda’s divorce, but the biggest celebrity was a fellow Eagle: Baldwin.

Baldwin took flight and made the trip to Nashville to join mascots from around the nation for this incredible night. On his trip back, The Tab caught up with our favorite Eagle to hear about this experience.

Baldwin with Doug Flutie

How was Brad Paisley live? What was it like being on stage with him?

Naturally he killed it – he killed the entire evening as host.

However, I think the real star, behind Baldwin and all the other college mascots, was Big Head Brad. Definitely the more talented version of Brad Paisley, given that he is a mascot. Baldwin and all the other Mascots were discussing afterwards that Big Head Brad is definitely a much cooler dude.

Still, normal Brad is pretty awesome to be on stage with.

Were the other mascots nice? What were they like? 

All of the mascots were incredibly nice. For the most part no one that becomes a mascot is a jerk. Naturally it takes a certain breed of weirdness to become a mascot, but some of these guys are characters.

It’s always interesting to see a group of mascots get together because everyone tries to out-mascot each other… a competition that Baldwin always comes out victorious in.

What was the best part of the experience?

Is “all of it” an acceptable answer? For starters, I got to walk the entire red carpet to start off the event. Secondly, I was on stage with Brad Paisley.

Even though we didn’t move much while performing, it was just one of the coolest experiences I’ve had, and will probably ever have.

Worst part of the experience?

The nation was done a great disservice by not being able to witness Baldwin’s one-of-a-kind stanky leg.

Like sure, the BYU cougar can do a standing backflip, but can he “drop down and get your eagle on” as well as I can?

Absolutely not.

Baldwin’s stanky leg being blocked by the other mascots

Meanwhile, at BC

What did your professors say when you told them why you had to miss class?

Well, they immediately guaranteed me an A for the course if I were to bring back Brad or Carrie’s autograph.

Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Instead, Brad and Carrie got an autograph from Baldwin and every other mascot there, which I would argue is more valuable.

Can you find Baldwin’s autograph?

Were any of the country music singers divas?

Carrie. Underwood. Is. Flawless.

After the performance I had the opportunity to be two feet from her. Needless to say I freaked out. The Virginia Cavalier teased me afterwards for it but #noshame, Carrie is as perfect in person as you would expect.

Were any of them particularly chill?

Several kept asking us to Netflix and Chill, so naturally the mascots collectively told them to call 1-800-HOTLINEBLING. Woke up to voicemails from Zac Brown, Kacey Musgraves, and Sam Hunt, so I’m not totally sure what to make of that.

Were there pickup trucks in the parking lot with beer?

There were about ten of them but they weren’t for the fans, they were our transportation to the show.

Apparently the CMAs found a really good deal on ten pickups filled with beer and it was cheaper than a coach bus so that’s how we got from the hotel to the venue. Baldwin always had to drive since he’s not 21.

Outside the Bridgestone Arena

How did Justin Timberlake do performing country music?

Can Justin Timberlake do anything wrong? Absolutely not. The guy is a legend and straight killed it last night. Biggest downside of the whole thing is that Baldwin wasn’t stage left. Had that been the case Baldwin would have been able to high five him which could have possibly outmatched the Carrie Underwood moment.

What did you think of the Star Wars opener?

Given that Star Wars is one of the best series ever created it was pretty dope. As un-country as it might appear to be, I think it was a great start to the incredibly wild night that was the 49th CMAs.

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