Darrell Davis: Gainer is a whole new animal!

Enough is enough, Gainer! Leave the stuffed animals alone and be a good mascot.

The giant, carpet-suited gopher is being toned down by his corporate handlers, the Saskatchewan Roughriders. During the Riders’ last CFL game, a victory against the B.C. Lions, Gainer repeated his traditional schtick of manhandling a stuffed lion. He does the same thing with a stuffed tiger toy when the Hamilton Tiger-Cats are in town.

Gainer usually jumps on the lion, kicks it a few times and drags it around by the tail. This time he spread the lion’s legs, kicked it in the crotch and grabbed it inappropriately (if you believe a stuffed lion is anatomically correct). Such a public outcry ensued on social media that the Roughriders issued a statement admitting Gainer had overdone it and was going to be told to tone it down.

Gainer has been in the spotlight this season for his slimmed-down makeover, complete with scary eyes that were changed back — hilariously! — to black when the gopher doffed his green contact lenses. Evidently Gainer’s demeanor has changed along with his appearance. Maybe it’s steroids.