MEMPHIS – TOM III, the beloved Bengal Tiger mascot for the University of Memphis who was a part of one of the most glorious periods in University and athletics history, passed away Friday less than three weeks after his 12th birthday.
TOM III's last game attended came as the No. 16 Memphis Tigers defeated No. 21 Cincinnati in a come-from-behind 29-24 victory in the 2019 American Athletic Conference Championship at the Liberty Bowl on Dec. 7.
After being ill this past week, TOM III was euthanized at his compound Friday morning and will be taken to the Memphis Zoo for an autopsy.