In 1995, Husker Athletic Director Bill Byrne tried to get rid of Herbie, saying the mascot was “not nationally marketable.” But 1,200 Husker fans signed a petition demanding Herbie’s return.

With the "okay" hand sign deemed to have taken on associations with white supremacists, Nebraska officials moved to give Herbie Husker a "We're No. 1" gesture.

The University of Nebraska has made a change to its cartoon mascot Herbie Husker to eliminate confusion about the meaning of a hand gesture he makes that some people connect with white supremacy ...

Nebraska Huskers t-shirts featuring new cartoon mascot Herbie Husker, left, and old cartoon mascot, right, are displayed at the Husker Hounds store in Omaha, Neb., Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022.

The cartoon from the 1970s was altered to Herbie making a No. 1 sign. ... Herbie Husker first appeared for Nebraska in 1974 and then as an in-game mascot later that year in the Cotton Bowl.

Herbie's left hand now makes the well-known "We're No. 1" sign with his index finger raised. Nebraska Huskers t-shirts featuring new cartoon mascot Herbie Husker, left, and old cartoon mascot ...

Nebraska Cornhuskers mascot Herbie Husker during the game against the Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 3, 2015, in Champaign, Illinois. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images) CLICK HERE TO GET ...