Bald eagle that performed at national events undergoes successful cataract surgery at UT [Video]

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — One of the nation’s most famous bald eagles underwent a successful cataract surgery at the University of Tennessee Tuesday afternoon.

Challenger the Eagle has flown over World Series games, presidential inaugurations and so much more. Michael Jones, the Director of Rehabilitation and Research at the American Eagle Foundation, said he’s an icon. 

“He’s just been an incredible ambassador for his species and birds of prey around the world,” Jones said.

Jones has been Challenger’s veterinarian for almost 30 years. The two first met when Jones was a student at the University of Tennessee. 

Tuesday’s surgery went smoothly, Jones said. Dr. Braidee Foote performed the surgery at UT’s veterinary medical center. Foote is an ophthalmologist at UT. 

The surgery was a group effort between multiple organizations, Jones also said.

Challenger retired from free-flight events in 2019 because of …