Celebrating touchdowns, making noise

Bernie+McNulty+has+been+celebrating+Bulldog+touchdowns+for+the+past+two+years.+He+is+shown+here+at+the+varsity+game+against+Norfolk+on+Oct.+14.

Daniel

Bernie McNulty has been celebrating Bulldog touchdowns for the past two years. He is shown here at the varsity game against Norfolk on Oct. 14.

Daniel Manning, Arts & Entertainment Editor

Someone has been celebrating Bulldog touchdowns by honking horns. Who is this mystery man? Well, it’s not a mystery anymore. 

Bernie McNulty, an 83 year old retiree is the one cheering on the Bour bulldogs from the sidelines with his horn; he’s been doing it since last year. Not just for the crowd, but for a friend, as well.

“Just last year I bought the horn and had it on my vehicle for a while. And I just decided that I know Laura Hobbs well, and her grandson [is] graduating,” said McNulty, so he opted to make some noise to cheer them on.

Honking horns at football games isn’t all he’s done though.

“I’ve done a lot of things,” McNulty said. This has included running vending businesses in both Lincoln and North Platte as well as working for Cash-Wa as a salesman.

McNulty retired there in 1999 and then ran his own business, Bernie’s Woodshop. 

“I’ve built cabinets and such for filling stations and books,” he said. “I put that up five years ago because I was getting too old,” he added.

Now that he’s retired, he’s on his way to do even more things. For example, he’s cheering on the Bulldogs and having fun all the while. 

“As everybody has told me, they love the horn and I just like making noise,” McNulty said.

But after this season, he’ll be done celebrating touchdowns for the Bulldogs.

“My good friend Laura Hobbs. He has one grandson here. This would be his last year.” McNulty said. After that he’ll be done hooting the horn and he’ll be ready to pass it onto someone else. “That’s why I’m gonna donate this to the school.”

As everybody has told me, they love the horn and I just like making noise.

— Bernie McNulty

After this football season, the school will take over the horn for him, in the name of good fun and lots of noise for many years to come.

NPHS activities director, Jimmie Rhodes, is looking forward to the donation. 

“With the donation of the horn, North Platte Activities will definitely carry on the tradition. It is something the team loves,” Rhodes said. 

After this football season, the activities department will take over the horn for McNulty, in the name of good fun and lots of noise for many years to come.