The other cool thing is that when these kids get out in their buses and wed have nine buses full of kids and their volunteers that would go with them, Elden Farnsworth would load up the Sorenson Center with firetrucks. I grew up with older brothers and sisters and how much they beat me up helped. I went, I get it! Ive been to a number of games where the stars arent playing. He is the original Jazz Bear. But then he got on a bull at the Days of 47 Rodeo. "rss":{ Thats where I wanted to be, but then I realized thats a big group. That was my first experience before I came with you. Brenda Hoskins is one of Mark Eatons great friends. He created the idea, costume, and antics that allowed him to be named and honored as the MBA Mascot of the Year five times and the number one voted Most Popular, Most Amazing, Most Significant Mascot across all professional sports and cold sports nationwide two different times. He told me via text i quit monday. Hear it this afternoon on @kslnewsradio. In this episode, Karene Reid shares how his family taught him love, sacrifice, hard work, Read more, Listen to the podcast here When nobody believes in you, you have to believe in yourself. }, Thank you very much for that. The extent of that rift is unclear, according to the Deseret News' Eric Woodyard, but Jon . Thankfully for American Gold Gymnastics, theyre the ones who lent their facility for me to learn and train. A team up in Winnipeg happened to be down scouting. SALT LAKE CITY, Utah The man most basketball fans knew as the Jazz Bear for more than two decades is talking about his time in the suit, and why he was fired. "cover":{ "We wont disclose his identity" says the boss of Jon Asbey, the identity of the Utah Jazz Bear . Jan 12, 2012, 10:55 AM EST. I was told they were going in a different direction. Teaches the inside look of a head of a mascot. Do you have this fraternity or do you keep in touch with one another as mascots off-season? Im almost ready to tap out. By now, most of you should be aware of Utah's incongruent (at least to Utah) mascot, the Jazz Bear, who once antagonized an inebriated Rockets fan enough to get . Its interesting as Jon retired as our Jazz Bear and a new person took over the costume, you realize that its more than a costume. The actions in this video are performed by professionals or supervised by professionals. Thats where it all started as just an idea to raise money to be able to take kids shopping. His name was Mark and he would teach me after hours and stuff. 3414. When you have X number of games in a week as a professional mascot, where do you have time to strengthen your muscles? I turned all those down and this is where the team supported me. We wanted our own identity. Utah Jazz mascot Jazz Bear excites the crowd during a break in play between the Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings on March 13, 2016 at Sleep Train Arena. Before I go out, I was working on doing a flag where you would hold yourself out sideways on a bar and I was going to do it up top and then my guys below would spin it so that I would spin around the top of the ladder, but thankfully I never had to do it. "subscribe" Lets go all the way back. If you ask me, that puts him right up there with the likes of Karl Malone, John Stockton, Donovan Mitchell and Jerry Sloan as one of the most important and influential figures in Jazz history. He is so kind. Jazz Bear was introduced to the league on November 4, 1994. Her name was Sister Basil, and I love her. They arent above anybody just because they get a bigger paycheck. Every successful superstar is someone on a team that is behind the scenes that make us look great. 506.6K Followers. He can still do the splits at age 52. Hes like, Come out here. Utah Jazz; 2022-23 Utah Jazz season: Conference: Western: Division: Northwest: Founded: 1974: History: New Orleans Jazz 1974-1979 Utah Jazz 1979-present: Arena: Vivint Arena: Location: . Let it never be said that the Utah Jazzs mascot, Jazz Bear, rests on his furry laurels. I love seeing them be humbled by these kids. Honestly, the biggest part that kept me out of so many injuries was my flexibility, which I did almost every day. There are three types of mascots. The Utah Jazz began life as the New Orleans Jazz. I remember hitting the ground, and just running. If I look back over the years of being Bear, Im definitely grateful for having a job like this, as well as blessed that Im able to take a character and give back to the community and the fans who have given so much to us, Absey said in that interview. I dont know why, but I was able to do the trick. Id always ride in the bucket and Id freeze. Find out where and when to watch the upcoming games and final match for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, including where to find live updates. Full disclosure: I kind of want to drive like an ape now. The Jazz Bear has been their mascot since 1994 and Jon Absey has been behind the costume since the beginning. Sponsored. I was always so excited. Yes, on the top. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. I thought, Lets take that idea of an entertainment event and use it to raise money to take kids shopping.. Im like, Why didnt you call me? Why couldnt I be your bodyguard? The Utah Jazz have fired Jon Absey, who portrayed the team's Jazz Bear mascot for 24 years. A metaphor for life. I put it on, I walk like I walk. According to Eric Woodyard of the Deseret News, a source said Absey was relieved of his role after a rift with the staff.. The Bear's identity is safe at least for now. Jazz Bear. He was 1 of the 3 highest-paid professional baseball players in the entire league. He thought he would retire from the Jazz. You werent above anybody because you got a bigger paycheck. The only thing I had is I had a nose that dropped my lower peripheral. Were here for you to Its all about me. I got smart when I got to the Jazz as I started putting two sleds together and put a wood board in the middle of them so that it was more solid. Two, once somebody does it, I want to be able to do something else. "They thought I was either going to kill myself or kill a fan," he said. Its so cool to be a prophet in your own country. And why did they do this recreation, you ask? "url":"https://tunein.com/podcasts/Media--Entertainment-Podcasts/Power-Players-with-Dan-Clark-p1464878/", In Utah, the Bountiful High Braves, a fictitious Native mascot, changed in April 2021 to the Redhawks after advocating efforts from Native American activists, including James Singer, a Salt Lake . Mark would always hang out and Brenda would walk over and say, This is the situation, and Mark would pull out a credit card and hed cover the $2,000 that we were short. Being a mascot was great. He has since become an iconic part of the Utah Jazz fan experience, and is beloved by fans of all ages. Jon Absey has played Jazz Bear since the mascot's inception in 1994, but he wasfired this week and is no longer with the organization, according to Utah media reports, which citeda rift with Jazz staff. This archived news story is available What do you think about that shift from Service before yourself. Over the years, the Jazz Bear has been known for his dangerous stunts, including his iconic sled down the top of the lower bowl of the arena down to the court. Jazz Bear has been named Mascot of the Year 5 times, and has won 8 Mascot Leadership Awards. Youre probably going to die if you do that. I trusted those guys. Or, perhaps it was because he heard how great the winters in Phoenix are. The mascot has proven to be so popular in the city that he even has a day named after him. I loved it so much. I appreciate that. minutes. The Jazz Bear was the third of three mascots to dunk over future President Trump in the video. Bear joined a group of students fromEagle Valley Elementary School in Eagle Mountain, UT less than 24 hours after being announced as the NBAs Mascot of the Year for the 2017-18 season for breakfast, after which he walked the kids to school. Put yourself out there and take your shot. I see them all the time through out a game. Simply put,hes a bear about townin the best possible way. "label":"Google Podcast" Not just maintain, but to strengthen and continuously keep your flexibility where it needs to be for you to be that Mascot of the Year and at the top of your game. Do not attempt. Hell have this played to his wife every night as we did with Andy Chudd. I have three guys that started when I started and they all quit when I left. Jon shares his inspiring story of taking advantage of opportunities and the challenges of balancing family and work and living a purpose-driven life. Estimated read time: 3-4 Take us back to the day when the buses would show up and the fire department had their lights and sirens go on. Larry H. Miller Charities (PDF). One thing led to another, and he was asked to try out to be the Jazz mascot in the early 1990s. I wouldnt be able to call you and say, Dan, how are you doing? You reply back. "style":"regular", On October 19, 2018, it was reported that Jon Absey, who had performed as the Jazz Bear for twenty-four years, had been fired for unknown reasons. I felt like I needed to give back. But he said he realized everyone could be just one management change from being let go. The official site of the National Basketball Association. All rights reserved. While Absey won't don the costume, the Jazz confirmed that Jazz Bear will be present when they host the Golden State Warriors on Friday night. Im not topping that. Whoever takes over Friday has big paws to fill. SALT LAKE CITY, Utah The man most basketball fans knew as the Jazz Bear for more than two decades is talking about his time in the suit, and why he was fired. When I started with the Shop With Bear, it used to be Bill Childs. Like there are three different types of mascots, there are a whole bunch of different types of vision when it comes to a head. "Jazz Bear will continue to be one of the most iconic mascots in the NBA," a Jazz spokesperson said in a statement. Bear finishes the performance with a front flip dunk over a smiling Trump. Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. Duke Snider, Willie Mays, and Mickey Mantle all made $150,000 a year, and they were the top-paid players. I started sledding down the stairs back then and bungee jumping out of the ceiling. Required fields are marked *. The Bear has suffered many injuries while performing, including tearing his bicep and rupturing a tendon in his calf." We appreciate the blood, sweat, and tears that have gone into being the. Jazz Bear will continue to be one of the most iconic mascots in the NBA, said Jazz spokesman Frank Zang. Then a couple of months later, theyre the ones who get to take the other kids Christmas shopping. (#utahjazz Bear lives on w/new mystery person in the suit) pic.twitter.com/4jlF6ftx1y. There will be many more events and years to come if I have anything to do with it. Talk to us about your exercise program. Until October 2018. Before, he said, he hid under a mask. This is also why the logo features an encircled "U" with . Its like a full circle. When I put on the suit, a lot of fear went away, said Absey. The organization declined to discuss the. During a timeout, there were a few fans on the floor . Youre in the Mascot Bowl, Mascot Hall of Fame, and YMCA Hall of Fame. "label":"Apple Podcasts" You would come whipping down there. I remember the principal leaning out the window. The biggest reason this is staged is because it was on the internet and they used the stadiums cameras to record? Yes. You need to work hard and challenge yourself. Until October 2018. Why the Phoenix Suns Gorilla arrived in the winter of 1980 isnt nearly as intriguing as what hes done since he arrived. Youre so important to our community, and you always will be. Welcome to the show. "description": "", NBA Mascot: The Mascot Bowl is family-friendly, and any family can afford it. It was climbing trees and the warehouse, getting on top of the barn, jumping on a tractor, and tearing off in the field. They are those guys that are strictly athletic and work for the crowd a little bit. Jazz Bear is the official mascot of the National Basketball Association's Utah Jazz team. I was like, I got to top this now. The next year I was like, Im going to do a handstand.. Jazz forward Rudy Gay powered through two Oklahoma City defenders for a second-quarter layup as Utah fights back against the Thunder. Stick through the whole video (You can give up 4. Jon Absey, who played Jazz Bear for almost a quarter-century, has reportedly been fired by the Utah Jazz. }, Over time, the job took a toll. Before, I would show up, meet people, and Id go, but I never felt so connected as I do now with people, with children and their parents, because now I get to talk to them and see them. When I left, I had nine guys that worked with me on game night. Its so fun because we used high schools and we like to have kids get involved. A one-on-one interview with the Utah Jazz Bear about what it takes to create a successful mascot program. Theres a big difference. Honestly, how do I want to be remembered? The fans and the team were so accepting of the character and I appreciated that. Absey counted up 150 stitches or staples, 10 surgeries, and 27 torn ligaments or muscles over time. }); The Utah Jazz have fired Jon Absey, who portrayed the team's Jazz Bear mascot for 24 years. The Jazz suffered their second straight loss to a team near the bottom of the standings thanks to a turnover-prone outing against the Thunder. Inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2006, Absey worked more than 800 home games as Jazz Bear, according to Woodyard. Out of respect for its character, which is separate from any employee ever associated with it, we have never discussed its identity. He has been inducted into the YMCA Hall of Fame, the Utah Summer Games Hall of Fame, and the Mascot Hall of Fame. Who could replace him as Utah GOP state party chair, In dry West, farmers balk at idling land to save water, 27% of Utah students are chronically absent. During the Utah's game against Cleveland on Tuesday night, the Jazz mascot (creatively named mascot "Bear") was delivering a birthday cake to a lucky fan. There were a number of times that we had gone over. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. "label":"Stitcher" AboutPressCopyrightContact. Thank you for that intro. Andy was with the big Mark Eaton and it was the same thing going to Walmart and doing the thing. A new man will be donning the furry costume and entertaining Jazz fans at Utah's NBA home opener Friday night. He is known for his fearless and unapologetic approach to entertaining the crowd, often pushing the boundaries of what is expected from a game's charm. I wrapped my hand in, we do the practice, but I did it off a ladder that was probably fourteen feet. "color":"#E33F3E", Fuckin' hilarious. I was talking to him because we may be trying to do some stuff together and then the same with Rocky out in Denver. I was a Forward Observer and I volunteered. I always like what the kids say afterward. Athletes should be approachable. I thought it would be fun. Its not the same Jazz Bear. It was so hard on my body because I would feel every stair as that thing went down. The Utah Jazz have fired Jon Absey, who portrayed the teams Jazz Bear mascot for 24 years. When you have an opportunity, never doubt yourself. Thats why I like a lot of these minor league sports teams like the Warriors here and Utah Grizzlies, those are players that they want to elevate, but they still understand that its those fans in the seats that are making us have the ability to play and hopefully get to their goal. If it wasnt for his trust in letting me be the bear, as he said, Listen, Im going to give you enough rope to hang yourself. When you take a rope and put both ends on the cable, youd put your hand in it and twist it. Jazz Bear (@utahjazzbear) on TikTok | 7.6M Likes. Last question, Jon. That kid took a knee. #utah #nballstar. We appreciate the fans. Rules dont change or anything. "Out of respect for his character, which is separate from any employee ever. How long does it take us to respond once we go into the gym and push ourselves, tear down our muscles, and work on our cardio? SALT LAKE CITY (News4Utah)- The man that has worn the Utah Jazz mascot since 1994 has been fired. It was in the Winnipeg Jets Arena. Do you remember those old roll-ups sleds? Going back to what you were talking about with your mom, I remember back when we would be shopping, and sometimes, wed always go over. Do you see like 180 degrees? He literally when I got there, he said listen, you're the mascot. SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - The man most basketball fans knew as the Jazz Bear for more than two decades is talking about his time in the suit, and why he was fired. Grand Harrison called me a couple of weeks after. Jazz Bear was introduced to the league on November 4, 1994. On the heels of being named the NBA's Rookie of the Month for February, Walker Kessler scored the Jazz's first six points Friday night. Utah Jazz: Top six matchups to look forward to in 2018-19, Three reasons the Utah Jazz perfectly exemplify what's right with the NBA, Former Middleweight Champ Jermain Taylor Arrested on Domestic Battery Charge, Utah Jazz: Five reasons to look forward to the 2018-19 season, Utah Jazz: One goal for every Jazzman in 2018-19. Some guys in the cheaper suits look through the neck. } For the benefit of our tribe, what were some of the most famous antics that you are still known for no other mascot does? His community initiative, Bear Hugs for Kids, is at the forefront of efforts to improve life for a myriad of people throughout the intermountain region. Youre so well-respected, but how can you take it to the next level and how can we support you? I was 22. I was like, I got to get a bigger ladder. Thats when we pulled out the 25-footer. When I would submit my stuff, Luke would always say, Why do you keep showing them the stuff youre doing? I know this pushed me and Im glad I did it because it worked. I read a lot of speeches for celebrities and I got a call from Danny Mantle, one of the four sons of the famous Mickey Mantle. I started getting those calls and I never thought people would want me to come out so much because I made such a mess all the time when Id show up. Dick Butkus, the guys that are from Meyer that I grew up idolizing, played for the love of the game and had a second career or another job in the off-season so they could pay their bills. Apparently, Houston Rockets fans don't appreciate silly string in their beer. It was just silly string. When I got out here and started doing the job, I felt more blessed that I had a job and a vehicle that could do so much. After spraying two Rockets fans with silly string in between quarters of a game last week, one of the fans reacted by dumping . Lets go back to sledding the stairs. She bakes a cake and goes to knock on the door. When I got out here, the Black Panther was one of them, the Jazzmanian Devil like the Tasmanian devil, something like that, and then this one character, which was funny, they called it a blob, and it was this big blob character. We need to do something for the underserved.. He was the old Phoenix Gorilla. I miss it. I was like, Thatd be great, because I was a poor college kid making $25 a game. They had said, Dont worry about it. Jon: I was really fortunate with our team. Not for everybody, but for some. Theres a difference between a costume and someone whos inside the costume that uses that vehicle or character to express who he is. . It twists down on your wrist. Thankfully, the team let me do that. I grew up in avenues in Salt Lake City, Utah, Karl Malone built his house up there and its in my mothers neighborhood, down the street on the same street as my mom. Wiki User. Full disclosure: I kind of want to drive like an ape now. It was different. Hes like, Did you take a job with the other teams? I was like, No. He goes, What are you going to do? I said, I dont know. He goes, Why dont you come out here? He talked to me like I was then. The first-round series between the Clippers and Jazz has been a back-and-forth battle so far, but the Jazz mascot just kicked it up a notch. I wanted to get off the farm and see what the big city was. There were crazy moments. "url":"", My vision was my eyes. I remember hitting the ground, and just running. He began as a farm boy in North Dakota, landing his first mascot job for only $25 for Moorhead State College, which eventually led to an audition to be the Utah Jazz Mascot in the early 1990s. By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's, Reports: Jazz fire Bear performer after 24 seasons, Carson Jorgensen not running for reelection. From high school, then what happened? There was a Winnipeg Thunder and those guys had brought me up to Winnipeg to mascot for the summer, but unlike Fargo, they had no rules. They were like the grandparents of the cage. Theyre resting them on the bench now. Do you remember John and Carl or any of those guys? On the same day he was honored, a video of Bear encouraging motorists not to drive like an ape debuted on YouTube. 201718 Utah Jazz Media Guide. There were a number of times where I went a little outside the box and he went to battle, and he knew that, in order for the character to keep creating and growing, it needed to push those bounds. When I put on the suit, a lot of fear went away, said Absey. They were like, Jon, we appreciate everything you did, but youre going to kill yourself or a fan in there. I was like, That was fun. It wasnt life-changing for me. Dan, I cant thank you enough for having me on. If you ever go through counseling, if anybody ever does that, its always about the rebound rate. I got a big ladder and Rocky got a big ladder. I said, If I dont share it and nobodys trying to copy it, one, I dont know if its good enough to that Im doing this. I need to know that I can do this on my own, and to tell you the truth I love it more this way because now I get to talk to people and get to know people. The thing that I was fortunate about is my eyes and I got it from the Phoenix Gorilla. Jazz Bear of the Utah Jazz poses for a portrait during media day at vivint.SmartHome Arena on September 26, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. I almost died four times. archived form does not constitute a republication of the story. Sign up today for the KSL Sports newsletter. [1][3] In 2006, Jazz Bear was inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame. Game in and game out, year in and year out, unbelievable. In this episode, Jon Absey, the original NBA basketball Utah Jazz Bear, an extraordinary philanthropist, shares his life and fascinating journey in becoming a sports team mascot. It was great to have that vehicle, being the bear. People like you and Andy Chudd were a huge part of that. Nowadays, you have people and they keep you a distance, but for who you are and for how everybody respects you and for what youve done in your life. The true gentleman, and kind, caring human being that you are underneath this costume we affectionately call Jazz Bear. He said he feared that people only liked him because he was the Jazz Bear, but now he realizes thats not so. There could be ten new Jazz Bears in that same suit, and there will never be another Jon Absey, so thank you. Utah Jazz newcomer guard Kris Dunn continues to make a contribution despite his limited time with the team. A tetchy Cleveland Cavaliers fan was left red-faced after being handed a good, old-fashioned ass-whooping by the mascot of rival team Utah Jazz when he suffered a severe sense-of-humour. "imageUrl":"", } "subscribe":{ Absey worked as the mascot for 24 years, but with the beginning of the 2018-2019 season he has been let go. When I would get surgery because I hurt myself, theyd always say like, Its going to be hard to come back. I just did the stuff that everybody thinks about doing, but cant, he said. It was a little bit harder, but I could figure it out. My success is watching my children grow up, concluded Absey.
