In New York, a headless horseman high school football tradition lives: 'It's a big part of who we are'

As it was said in a number of short stories that were written by Washington Irving in 1820s Sleepy Hollow is a village where a headless horseman is known to ride while offering visitors thrilling experience in a specter form as a solider who has lost his head during the Revolutionary War.

Even on the nights Sleepy Hollow High School is hosting home football games in the lively village about 30 miles upstate of Manhattan, the legend persists.

Each football team has a mascot that looks like a headless-horseman to represent the believing of the early nineteenth century hyperlocal legend prior to home football games.

The video of the tradition from the pregame before Sleepy Hollow’s 29-6 win over Hendrick Hudson on Saturday made its rounds on social media.

“It’s been a fun couple of days,” Sleepy Hollow athletic director Mike Arias said. Yes has received a lot of attention. This has been going on for a long time.”

Prior to every home match, Arias collaborates with the football program booster club to arrange a genuine equestrian participant. Since the headless horsemen tradition is commemorated in other ways around town, Arias said he has several horsemen contacts.

The custom goes back to American author Washington Irving’s celebrated short book from 1820, significantly before Arias’ half a decade leading the school’s athletics arm.

This is a variant and adaptation of the original story that has been done in the past: from the silent movie in the 1920, the Disney effect in the 1940, the gothic horror movie in 1999 Sleepy Hollow by Tim Burtin where Johnny Depp portrayed the character of Ichabod Crane.

‘It’s super unique,’ he noted. Ladies and gentlemen I think now ‘we have the most fascinating mascot in the country –if not the most fascinating one.’ There exists no other school which has it. And it’s a big part of who we are from an identity standpoint from our community, our school district. The majority acknowledge the story of Sleepy Hollow. So its super cool."

Croton-Harmon awaits the Horsemen on Saturday 1-1 before they get another home game match scheduled for 10th against Westlake.