Forget the furballs. When it comes to dedicated mascots, University of Central Florida stud Knightro makes all those lions and tigers look like real pussies. This gallant guy wears a full suit of armor in the heat of the Orlando sun while cheering on the Golden Knights, making heat exhaustion and dehydration an everyday part of the job. Still, the roar of the Citrus Bowl crowd -- and the chance to brandish his golden sword for the tanned UCF ladies -- make it all worthwhile.

Having first donned his cape in '94, Knightro hasn't been around long. But thanks to his swashbuckling antics and chivalry, the Golden Knights' number one fan has already jousted his way to three top 10 finishes in the national mascot championships. Recently, Knightro held court with Playboy.com about being a chick magnet, kicking mascot ass and playing with his golden sword.

Playboy.com: How do you deal with the Florida heat in that armor?
Knightro: I've tried everything from fans to ice packs. Basically, you just have to tough it out.

PB: Is it hard to move?
Knightro:It's not a free-form costume, so I can't do acrobatics like a lot of furballs. But the suit sure doesn't hinder my moves with the cheerleaders, if you know what I mean.

PB: So are you a ladies man?
Knightro: Think about it: I'm a knight in shining armor. Being a chick magnet comes with the territory.

PB: Do you ride in on a horse?
Knightro: Actually, when the announcer introduces me, I come screaming down the field in my chariot -- which is a go-cart -- and I do a burnout 360-degree turn at the 50-yard line. The stadium turf guys aren't happy about it, but the fans love it.

PB: Do you have any other signature moves?
Knightro: I use the Scream Machine, which is a magic can that makes the crowd go nuts whenever I take the lid off, and I have a T-shirt cannon, which can shoot a shirt up and over the top of the stadium.

PB: Have you ever shot someone point blank with it?
Knightro: No, because they'd still be wearing that T-shirt today if they caught it up close.

PB: You've got a three-foot-long sword. How do you use it?
Knightro: It's a guitar, it's a microphone, and it's definitely used to shish kebab the opposing team. Knightro's also been known to do a little sword dancing with the ladies.

PB: Do you mix it up with other mascots?
Knightro: The Georgia Tech bumblebee messed with me one time and ended up taking a few to the gut. He also lost his 30-foot-tall inflatable yellow jacket -- I went over and stabbed it and brought the whole thing down, on their home turf.

PB: Have you ever gotten in trouble for your antics?
Knightro:When we played Florida State, I was determined to extinguish Chief Osceola's flaming spear. After he threw it down, I booked toward the 50-yard-line with a Super Soaker to put it out and was soon surrounded by 15 state troopers who threatened to arrest me. They confiscated my weapon and I had to stand in a 3-foot-by-3-foot square for the rest of the game.

PB: What's the most embarrassing moment you've had in the suit?
Knightro: I practically killed a cameraman once. I was trying to impress some girl, and I backed up on the basketball court, flipped over a cameraman, and broke a $10,000 piece of equipment into a bunch of pieces.

PB: Did you get in trouble?
Knightro: I apologized my sword off, basically, and they came around. A couple autographs for the kids and we were back in business.

PB: How do you get pumped up for a game?
Knightro: Some AC/DC "Back in Black," and a big ol' spray can of Armor All.

PB: Do you have a special pre-game meal?
Knightro:I chomp on some Gator bites and wash it all down with a Hurricane.

PB: Are you a celebrity on campus?
Knightro: Absolutely. People come out of the woodwork to stand next to Knightro and get their picture taken, in hopes of getting the digits.

PB: Would you consider being a professional mascot?
Knightro: I'm tempted, but I wouldn't hang up the armor for any furball. I like to walk tall and carry a big sword -- black and gold forever, baby.