Erling Haaland didn’t return to Norway with a World Cup trophy, but he did go home with the trophy of souvenirs: a taxidermy raccoon holding an empty bottle of booze.
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The internet quickly identified Wild Bill’s Western Store in Dallas as the origin of Haaland’s prize.
“We’ve sold very few just because they’re about 750 bucks,” said Julie Newport, the store’s co-owner.
Newport said she got a call in June that “someone from the Norwegian team” would be stopping in; the store was near the hotel where the Nordic players were staying.
When the players arrived on June 30, “I had my team lock the doors, and we basically gave them run of the store for an hour and a half,” Newport said. They drank bourbon, and, “We taught them how to line dance,” she said.
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In addition to the taxidermy — which is called “Whiskey Raccoon” but is technically holding G&J Greenall’s Wild Berry Gin — Haaland picked up three hats and a T-shirt that reads, “Y’all can kiss my Dallas.” Newport said the rest of the group got hats, T-shirts, boots, belts, belt buckles, overcoats and western shirts.
Unfortunately for those who’d like to pick up the same statue, Newport said they’re sold out, and “The artisan who makes these taxidermy pieces just retired,” she said. “We’ve got to find a vendor.”
There are a few alternatives, including a squirrel on a stripper pole ($450), a squirrel smoking a cigarette and holding an empty mini of Jack Daniels ($500) and a squirrel sheriff, posing with its gun drawn ($500).
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