Bellevue boy, 12, killed in 
Der Wienerslinger mishap

LINCOLN - In a statement released today Nebraska athletic department officials called the death of a 12-year-old Bellevue boy killed by a flying wiener at Memorial Stadium “a tragedy for the Big Red family.”

Bobby Taylor was taken by ambulance to BryanLGH Medical Center West after being struck in the eye Saturday by a frozen hot dog launched by Der Wienerslinger, officials said. He died 45 minutes later.

An autopsy is planned, but officials said it appeared Taylor died of massive blood loss.

Taylor, the son of Bonnie and Doug Taylor, was at the game with his grandfather, Bud Gourevitch of Plattsmouth.

Witnesses said the accident took place in the south stadium midway through the second quarter.

“I remember it exactly, because it was right after we ran that stupid weakside option for the third straight time,” said Stu Whitcomb, 38, of Tecumseh. “You’d think (NU Coach Frank) Solich would get a clue.

“Anyway, the kid - what was his name, Bobby? -- he’s yelling at the guy with the air-powered hot dog thing, yelling ‘Hey Fatty, hey Fatty, shoot me a dog! C’mon, Wiener Man! I’m starving!’ - that sort of thing. Then -- whoosh -- this thing in a silver wrapper hits him in the face. I lost track of what happened after that, ’cause there was a fumble. Why can’t our I-backs hold onto the damn ball anyway?”

It is not yet known how a frozen wiener ended up in place of the lukewarm bright red wieners normally flung at crowds from the air-powered bazooka known as Der Wienerslinger, but Lincoln police are investigating.

Chief Tom Casady said the person manning Der Wienerslinger on Saturday was Leroy Harvey Heller of Nebraska City, a 47-year-old school bus mechanic, stamp collector and Civil War reenactor.

“It’s hard to say what might have happened,” the chief said. “I wouldn’t want to speculate, but if I had to I’d guess either Mr. Heller or poor, unfortunate little Bobby -- or both, maybe -- got distracted by the inability of the Huskers to establish the run.”

Der Wienerslinger officials declined comment.

NU Athletic Director Bill Byrne said in a statement that Taylor’s death “was a real loss.”

“It’s a tragedy for the Big Red family,” the statement read. “I’m sure Bobby would want us all to continue supporting Nebraska athletics.”

Byrne announced that Bobby Taylor Memorial T-shirts, keychains, tie tacks and golf club covers would go on sale this week at the Big Red Shop. Profits will support the football program the boy rooted for.

Taylor’s father said his son loved the Huskers deeply. Also, hot dogs.

“He loved a good wiener,” Doug Taylor said, sniffing. “The only thing he liked more than that was when the Big Red used a three wide-receiver set on first down.

“I would say that if little Bobby had a dying wish, it would be that Nebraska threw the ball more.”