I remember Luke Larson, my assistant, I love him. 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. It was hard to get money because I never liked talking to people about who I was. You got other guys that look through the mouth like the Denver Broncos. Two, once somebody does it, I want to be able to do something else. Her name was Sister Basil, and I love her. When I left, I had nine guys that worked with me on game night. Shes just a good old girl. Jazz Bear is the official mascot of the National Basketball Association's Utah Jazz team. Tell us about where you grew to love charity and service before yourself. The Jazz Bear unmasked. Absey then worked more than 800 home games as the Jazz Bear. All the other leagues copied it. I was like, Game on. I worked so hard and I literally got my splits back and I still think I did it better than before. Antoine Davis finished four points shy of surpassing Pete Maravich as the NCAA career scoring leader, scoring 22 vs. Youngstown State. With his 18 years of experience as the Jazz Bear, Jon has entertained millions of fans and brought joy to . The Jazz Bear has been their mascot since 1994 and Jon Absey has been behind the costume since the beginning. The charity side of things can motivate you in your job as a mascot. Absey did handstands on a 23-foot tall ladder, rappeled down from the ceiling, and slid down the stairs. "They thought I was either going to kill myself or kill a fan," he said. For the record, this mischievous mascot was born quite by accident. When you take a rope and put both ends on the cable, youd put your hand in it and twist it. We appreciate the fans. There were a number of times when he would show me how to throw a full-off on a tramp. That is until the children. I knew that I needed to give back to show my gratitude. Why was Jon Absey fired from the Utah Jazz? Jazz . Who is the individual when you go to a sporting event and you see this mascot perform, engage the audience, and cheer on that home crowd to give us the home field or home court advantage? The Little Giant, anytime I had an idea, they would build me a ladder because theyre the ones who built me the big sled from the upper bowl. Some guys in the cheaper suits look through the neck. "episodeNo": 0, Im always tearing pages out of my book when I watch you because I love how you have allowed me to be part of your life and everybody else to be part of your life and how you give back to the communities, so thank you. Until October 2018. I put it on, I walk like I walk. It was like a playland. The Utah Jazz Bear is not your typical, cuddly charm. Jazz Bear is the mascot for the Utah Jazz, a National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise based in Salt Lake City, Utah. I thought it would be fun. I remember Stephen and Minnie going out one night and they had asked Greg Foster if hed wanted to come over for dinner. The NBAs longest-tenured mascot, he performed in more than 800 games, winning Mascot of the Year honors five times, including last season, when he also captured Leadership and Best Video awards at the NBA Mascot Conference, per The Salt Lake Tribune. archived form does not constitute a republication of the story. Jazz Bear first appeared in 1989 as part of a marketing campaign for the team. 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. "duration":0, 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. I loved it so much. The Mascot Assistant represents the Utah Jazz and the Utah Jazz Bear brand and must represent oneself in a professional manner as they interact with Jazz fans in the arena and community. I appreciate that. Incidentally, he was also fired from his very first job as a mascot for the CBA for all those stunts he tried out. And why did they do this recreation, you ask? And then listen to the full conversation in this link! Were not talking a little six-foot. He was probably best known for sledding down the stairs of Vivint Smart Home Arenas aisles and emptying a seemingly endless supply of Silly String onto opposing fans. Im like, Why didnt you call me? Why couldnt I be your bodyguard? I see them all the time through out a game. It was called American Gold Gymnastics. This archived news story is available "overcast":{ That was my first experience before I came with you. Although hes now a three-time NBA MOTY and was inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame back in 2006, those numbers tell the tale of what Jazz Bear is all about just as much as all the 20-foot ladders hes climbed or trampoline dunks hes thrown down. She grabbed another one and she goes to me, Am I done now?. Do you see like 180 degrees? When I put on the suit, a lot of fear went away, said Absey. I jumped up on the bars, and then it was that aha! moment. Out of respect for his character, which is separate from any employee ever associated with it, we have never discussed his identity. Utah Jazz newcomer guard Kris Dunn continues to make a contribution despite his limited time with the team. I feel blessed that youve let me into your life. He thought he would retire from the Jazz. When she passed away, I cried so hard. They let me learn all my skills for what I was doing. This answer is: The man behind Jazz Bear has been fired after a reported rift with the Utah Jazz. Where did you grow up? Im not topping that. We have no respect, no credibility, and please download and share this episode as a simple reminder that Jon Absey is exactly the same in person as he is in that suit. That was all I was told. On the same day he was honored, a video of Bear encouraging motorists not to drive like an ape debuted on YouTube. I got a big ladder and Rocky got a big ladder. [4] The Bear has suffered many injuries while performing, including tearing his bicep and rupturing a tendon in his calf. I jumped up on the bars, and then it was that aha! moment. Utah Jazz: Did Donovan Mitchell just tease his signature kicks? He said he feared that people only liked him because he was the Jazz Bear, but now he realizes thats not so. When I started with the Shop With Bear, it used to be Bill Childs. 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. Did you always have a natural sense of balance and body strength or did you develop that? Hell have this played to his wife every night as we did with Andy Chudd. The engaging and fun-loving bear is the cousin to the Utah Jazz mascot Jazz Bear and will be introduced to fans during the second timeout of the first quarter at the Lifetime Activities Center-Bruin Arena on the Salt Lake Community College Taylorsville Campus. Because his whole career was spent working nights and weekends, and sacrificing his family and his body. They had said, Dont worry about it. Tell us about your philanthropic efforts. Let me guess you also think the cop was in on it or he was a fake cop. On the way, I was talking to Bob Woolf. I ended up out on the third-floor ledge and chilling out because in my head, I was like, Im bored. I was so ADHD. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. 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. "imageUrl":"", Give me more money? As I teach in my world of culture creation and leadership and sales, if you come from money, you will leave for money. It was three years as a sophomore and two years as a genius. I'm grateful that the maker of my handmade journals, Utah-based Rustico, became an underwriter. Knowing that I had my trust in them and I trusted them to save my life and always tell me, That might not work. The person who wears the Jazz Bear suit is not publicly known. When I was done, I was worried that I wouldnt have that vehicle and I wouldnt be able to do charity work as I did before. Thats where it all started as just an idea to raise money to be able to take kids shopping. In this Read more. I remember running up the wall another time and putting two big holes in it, but they were patient with me. Now he has much more time with his wife and 3 daughters. Mark Eaton, the name and a man that we all miss. MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 12: Jazz Bear, mascot for the Utah Jazz rubs a fans head during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the New York Knicks on January 12, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This is funny because I lied on the application and said I was a gymnast at Sacred Heart, but I never was. I would watch him do his backflips and Id say, Do it again, and if I could see it and visualize it, I could do it. I was talking to him because we may be trying to do some stuff together and then the same with Rocky out in Denver. Thats so wrong. I grew up with older brothers and sisters and how much they beat me up helped. Or, perhaps it was because he heard how great the winters in Phoenix are. Take us from the beginning. Were you always an extraordinary natural gymnast? { As I said, I loved being able to play and have fun and push the envelope, but the charity side of things is what motivated me and what started making the job worthwhile. Were coming off California Avenue and take that left on Redwood. He didnt try to be anyone else or act like someone else in the suit. I wanted to get off the farm and see what the big city was. She was one of my dearest friends. Yes. A one-on-one interview with the Utah Jazz Bear about what it takes to create a successful mascot program. That kid took a knee. Until October 2018: "I was told they were going in a different direction. They get to get out there and pull it off. Being a mascot was great. Hes in the Mascot Hall of Fame, but more importantly, hes a husband, a father, and a philanthropist. People like you and Andy Chudd were a huge part of that. Back then, when I first started going, it was only twelve feet and then guys started going out and they were on the ladder. The Suns Gorilla (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images). I remember Gordon Hayward was there before I left and he said he didnt like the fans that close to the court. Bleacher Creatures Utah Jazz Bear 10" Mascot Plush Figure. She goes, Jon, can you come in here? I got up and walked over. Because his whole career was spent working nights and weekends, and sacrificing his family and his body. THE UTAH JAZZ MASOT MUST BE STOPPED 389,289 views Feb 20, 2018 3K Dislike Share Shots Up 3.86K subscribers NBA Mascots Funny Moments | NBA Mascots Savage Moments | NBA mascots | | Savage NBA. only for your personal, non-commercial use. Inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2006, Absey worked more than 800 home games as Jazz Bear, according to Woodyard. Wiki User. I was a farm boy in a little town up in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. Whoever takes over Friday has big paws to fill. The Utah Jazz began life as the New Orleans Jazz. Is Jazz Bear the only Utah Jazz mascot? }, You need to train and focus on your flexibility every day. I remember them telling me that I wont be able to do the splits on that leg anymore. He is a bright, energetic, and lovable character who loves to show off his signature dance moves and have fun with fans. As a mascot, youll be doing a lot of stunts so you need a great guardian angel to look over you. The Information Display and Entertainment Associated also honored the Jazz and Bear for the best in-arena mascot video in professional sports, where he engaged in a car derby with the Phoenix Suns Gorilla. 5 Rocky the Mountain Lion Denver Nuggets. It happened Monday as the Jazz claimed their fourth. Sponsored. When I hit Winnipeg, I remember I rappelled in and straddled two beams, and when Thunderstruck started, I would jump in the air, put my feet together, and zip in quick on a rope, and I got up there late. I hated it. Im almost ready to tap out. The 50-year-old Absey won the 2017-18 Mascot of the Year award as Jazz Bear, marking the fifth time he garnered the honor in his career. According to Eric Woodyard of theDeseret News, a source said Absey was relieved of his role after a "rift with the staff. The Black Panther was almost on top of the list, but we wanted to step away from the old New Orleans Jazz field. "Out of respect for his character, which is separate from any employee ever. The Bear's identity is safe at least for now. Thank you very much for that. Yes, as far as the NBAMascots.com can find, Jazz Bear has been the one mascot for the Utah Jazz team. "share", Bears impact cannot be overstated. 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. TikTok. Follow @brohrbach, More from Yahoo Sports: Report: Rihanna turned down Super Bowl halftime show 5 reasons Bostons back in the World Series Potter actor left scarred by fantasy football injury Deep issues for Lakers after LeBrons debut, according to the Deseret News Eric Woodyard, a seemingly endless supply of Silly String, Report: Rihanna turned down Super Bowl halftime show, 5 reasons Bostons back in the World Series, Potter actor left scarred by fantasy football injury, Deep issues for Lakers after LeBrons debut. But he said he realized everyone could be just one management change from being let go. We wanted our own identity. We love you. window.FuseboxPlayerAPIKey = '736|Bt3uGzU4xc0sddXrD2L8BnN1FwLmic13Qk65z0pZRktxo58SWbNAcFgDsC3FYQ3MK0XyoUWYU7WUaQjG'; I got an offer from all three teams, but I didnt call anybody back because I was too scared. They played for the right reasons. The Jazz did not cite Absey by name, but did confirm his ouster, alerting media that a new mystery person will be inside the Jazz Bear costume when Utah hosts the Golden State Warriors in Fridays home opener. Honestly, the biggest part that kept me out of so many injuries was my flexibility, which I did almost every day. We always say, A prophet is not a prophet if a man is not a prophet in his own country, but you are. "color":"#E33F3E", Ive been to a number of games where the stars arent playing. The Jazz Bear unmasked Incidentally, he was also fired from his very first job as a mascot for the CBA for all those stunts he tried out. But thats the scaredest Ive ever been, he laughed. }, He jumped through rings of fire, played fireworks-filled pianos and rode Karl Malones motorcycle onto the arena floor. I remember one time we were over by like $5,600. It was different. I was done with the military and still going to school. The other one was a brown bear because its native to the mountains. Game in and game out, year in and year out, unbelievable. Thats when I realized I got a great guardian angel. I just did the stuff that everybody thinks about doing, but cant, he said. I still stay in touch with all these guys and thats what I love is that were a tight brotherhood. i was today years old when i found out i posted the 2nd most viewed tiktok in the nfl this season I was 22. Back when I started and then all the way up through the 90s, we were fortunate enough to have two finals and they were amazing. "controls":[ Sure, the Utah Jazz Bear mascot may have gone a little too far, spraying silly string on a couple of Rockets fans and getting some sting in their beers, but he was spraying everyone. "apple":{ In those days, Mickey Mantle won the Triple Crown in 1956 and the Yankees wanted to trade him because he was getting paid too much money. Im not a fan of a team that I dont know anybody on it. Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith said his goal for the team's next broadcast deal is to create the easiest viewing experience for fans. "label":"Overcast" Utah Jazz Fall To Oklahoma City Thunder In Turnover-Prone Outing, New Utah Jazz Guard Kris Dunn Is Causing Problems In OKC, Utah Jazz Forward Rudy Gay With Strong Drive Against Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz Center Walker Kessler Starts Hot In Oklahoma City, Antoine Davis Falls Short In Bid To Break Pete Maravichs Scoring Mark, Ryan Smith: I Want Jazz Fans To Watch Games In Any Format, Notable Moments From The Utah Jazz Season So Far, Everything You Need to Know to Watch the 2022 World Cup. But then he got on a bull at the Days of 47 Rodeo. You said something very intriguing about the difference between professional athletes nowadays and the days of old. It was just silly string. After high school, two weeks after I graduated, I went to Minneapolis. Number one in the hearts and souls of every Utah Jazz fan who ever lived and will continue to live. Part time, paid position. She held on to me, we zipped in, and we hit the floor. Thank you, Dan. 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. Athletes should be approachable. 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: . Years later, theyre adults and coming to give back because of what it did for them. Andy was with the big Mark Eaton and it was the same thing going to Walmart and doing the thing. Yes, on the top. Its so fun because we used high schools and we like to have kids get involved. I left my head on and it felt funny. A team up in Winnipeg happened to be down scouting. I remember one time in Spanish class, the teacher didnt show up on time. Visualize this, a basketball arena, cement stairs, railings going down the side, people and me away from being taken out by a sledding mascot in a costume, looking out the window, whatever it looks like, and somehow navigating straight down the steps going in about 30, 20 or 50 miles an hour. The only thing I had is I had a nose that dropped my lower peripheral. Absey is telling all in a new podcast called Return to Real. Its the first time hes spoken about his time in the costume since his firing. 15-year-old boy dies after being found in crashed car with gunshot wounds, Do not 'push a slower friend down' if you encounter a bear, National Park Service warns, Police say man killed by Farmington officers had gun; victim's mom filed suit over other traffic stop, Suspect in Dylan Rounds disappearance charged with murder, Police investigating serious crash on I-215 offramp, Man struck, killed by FrontRunner in Clearfield, Trapped fox 'severely' injures dog in Draper, prompts warning from city, 14-year-old uses social media to track down man accused of robbing him, Northern Utah man faces 30 felonies in child pornography case. They immediately all pointed at me. Its like a full circle. Give us the inside scoop of the Mascot Bowl.