TEMPE, Ariz. -- Sparky, the mascot for Arizona State University, doesn't always know when he's being devilish.

Sparky playfully jumped on Tempe City Councilman David Schapira at a football game, KNXV-TV reported Wednesday. Schapira, who is recovering from back surgery, said he laughed until he felt a pop, which he later learned was a back muscle tearing.

The university apologized for its mascot's "excessive exuberance" and offered to help pay medical expenses related to his delayed recovery.

Schapira said his wife was holding his cane while he took a photo on the sidelines Friday, and that's when the mascot spotted him and pounced. The run-in sent him back to the hospital.

The lifelong ASU fan says he's not mad at Sparky but might wear a warning sign next time.