Rhydon is a fairly unremarkable species of pokemon, a middle stage beast which generally does not become truly fearsome until it evolves into Rhyperior. Although impressive in appearance, like Onix they lack the fighting ability to back up their terrifying stature and roar. And yet not only have they been the official Indigo League mascot from its founding, but Rhydon are a pokemon so beloved among that organization that they flank their gyms with magnificent statues of them.
The roots of this tradition are older than the Indigo Pokemon League, and some say they are as old as the Indigo Plateau itself. According to legend, the plateau was formed in the aftermath of an earthquake on Mount Silver caused by a rampaging Rhydon, who became the god of the local shrine outside Victory Road. While the veracity of this fanciful story is considered by scholars to be doubtful, Rhydon have long been a symbol of the region, depicted on coins and statues and in other works of art originating from the area; some have been found as far away as the ruins of Alph.
In recent years, as the league has grown, there has been a movement away from the usage of Rhydon as a symbol in favor of a pokeball. Traditionalists and Rhydon trainers have met it with protests, and the brief removal of Rhydon from the official logo was followed with a League tournament full of Rhydon and Rhyperior; the championship team was no exception in this regard. The League backed down, the old logo was reinstated, and a statue the champion's Rhydon delivering its knockout Rock Wrecker to win the final bout was placed outside the League's entrance as a show of respect for this noble pokemon.