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. Thank you very much for that. "share", "cover":{ It was just silly string. This will be generational. 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. How do you navigate yourself through this little teeny window? I couldnt believe they allowed it. Reply [deleted] . The Jazz Bear has been their mascot since 1994 and Jon Absey has been behind the costume since the beginning. Being a mascot was great. I went out and I was one of the first guys to bring a ladder on the court and get up on top of signs, and then guys started doing that. It was a rock-climbing thing. 2011-04-05 19:17:53. Then a couple of months later, theyre the ones who get to take the other kids Christmas shopping. 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. About 120. At Salt City Hoops, we know that covering a team without any humor can be dreary. Follow the action on NBA scores, schedules, stats, news, Team and Player news. "rewind" The first time in my life that I ever got a chance to go into the locker room and watch these guys put on their suits, describe to us how you can see through with the head and, in that process, keep your balance and have situation situational awareness, so you dont fall over or how do you climb a ladder? A wayward bat flew around the court inside the Vivint Smart Home Arena about an hour before Utah's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, interrupting the pregame shooting routines of the likes of Jazz stars Donovan Mitchell and Ricky Rubio. "url":"", Absey created the Jazz Bear character and costume, and worked more than 800 home games over 24 seasons. The person who wears the Jazz Bear suit is not publicly known. They allowed you to come close to them. He thought he would retire from the Jazz. 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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. The fans and the team were so accepting of the character and I appreciated that. There were crazy moments. "buttons":[ When asked to lean the cake over to give the crowd a better view, the bear tilted it over a little too much, sending the baked good hurling down several feet to . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. He was the best & always willing to drop by with a confetti cannon. Give us a chance. I was like, Okay.. I left my head on and it felt funny. How to Market Your Business with Webinars? He was the old Phoenix Gorilla. When it was unraveling, it was the only thing holding us and I remember screaming halfway down when I realized we had spun and that the only thing keeping my hand in that loop with her on my side was me squeezing those two ropes together. Hopefully, when I pass, I have a full church and then I know that I was successful. Jon Absey wore the Jazz Bear suit well, there were nine of them for almost 25 years. Number one in the hearts and souls of every Utah Jazz fan who ever lived and will continue to live. Coming from a farm, I dont know if its those types of values, but if you can, you help others out. We got to go.. Theyre playing a game that we played when we were six. Log in. I remember Luke Larson, my assistant, I love him. "color":"#E33F3E", I appreciate that. Andy was with the big Mark Eaton and it was the same thing going to Walmart and doing the thing. It wasnt for a number of years later that the boss or Marcy came in and shes like, I found out that Sacred Heart doesnt have a gymnastics team. What I would do is I would go in and I would watch what other coaches were doing. When I put on the suit, a lot of fear went away, said Absey. Abseys full conversation with Return to Real host Neil Anderson is available now. 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. "url":"https://tunein.com/podcasts/Media--Entertainment-Podcasts/Power-Players-with-Dan-Clark-p1464878/", Abseys full conversation with Return to Real host Neil Anderson is available now. Until October 2018: "I was told they were going in a different direction. Mark Atkins is the same thing, showing up at the event and wanting to help any way they can. 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. Jazz forward Rudy Gay powered through two Oklahoma City defenders for a second-quarter layup as Utah fights back against the Thunder. I was 22. I put it on, I walk like I walk. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Is it more of a professional association? Because his whole career was spent working nights and weekends, and sacrificing his family and his body. Take us back to the day when the buses would show up and the fire department had their lights and sirens go on. I went, I get it! I wrapped my hand in, we do the practice, but I did it off a ladder that was probably fourteen feet. Over time, the job took a toll. I knew that I needed to give back to show my gratitude. "coverDisplay":false, We went out and lived with his dad for a while. His name was Mark and he would teach me after hours and stuff. Describe what happened there. Theres a big difference. I was told they were going in a different direction. Over time, the job took a toll. That is a testimony to what guys they were. We do not discuss individual personnel matters.. No, but when we have arguments with our spouses or significant others, we call it the rebound rate. I was like, I got to top this now. The next year I was like, Im going to do a handstand.. When theyre involved, they get to see all the planning and stuff come together. They moved everybody three rows back. When they moved in, my sweet mother, visualize her, the youngest of nine children raised by a single mom on a farm in Southern Idaho. You werent above anybody because you got a bigger paycheck. History of Jazz Bear. Players didnt write me those checks like it was. 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. 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. I feel blessed that youve let me into your life. And he can interact with the kids as himself now. "controls":[ He didnt try to be anyone else or act like someone else in the suit. Find the best Plush for your project. I could plant seeds, but you can start rattling them off. Wiki User. For You. I was just me. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Bleacher Creatures Milwaukee Bucks Bango 10" Mascot Plush Figure - Signed at the best online prices at eBay! 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. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Well be forever grateful. Utah Jazz newcomer guard Kris Dunn continues to make a contribution despite his limited time with the team. 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? Inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2006, Absey worked more than 800 home games as Jazz Bear, according to Woodyard. I remember there was this voice in my head that was screaming, Dont go. I remember the audio kicked in Thunderstruck. Some guys in the cheaper suits look through the neck. Sponsored. 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. Check out this Cleveland Cavaliers fan mixing it up with the mascot of the Utah Jazz. The Utah Jazz have fired Jon Absey, who portrayed the teams Jazz Bear mascot for 24 years. Now he has much more time with his wife and 3 daughters. Im not a fan of a team that I dont know anybody on it. Jazz Bear will continue to be one of the most iconic mascots in the NBA, said Jazz spokesman Frank Zang. I got an offer from all three teams, but I didnt call anybody back because I was too scared. According to Eric Woodyard of theDeseret News, a source said Absey was relieved of his role after a "rift with the staff. Jazz Bear was introduced to the league on November 4, 1994. The Utah Jazz Bear is not your typical, cuddly charm. She held on to me, we zipped in, and we hit the floor. Theres also that lesson that gets learned through doing this for these high school kids. [1][2] Since Jazz Bear's introduction, he has performed at over 800 Jazz home games. "sticky":false, They formed the mask to fit my face so that it fits perfectly right around my eyes. I started in 93. Mom, look. But thats the scaredest Ive ever been, he laughed. 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. Here's a sneak peek. The actions in this video are performed by professionals or supervised by professionals. I dont care about appearances. We had a mat there and I crashed into the mat because thats how fast you were going. Is Jazz Bear the only Utah Jazz mascot? A farm boy, Absey picked up that first mascot job at Morehouse State College for $25. I was told they were going in a different direction. }, 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. On Monday afternoon, Bear was officially recognized (once again) as the best in the business of making hoops fans in-arena experience a great one. By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's, Reports: Jazz fire Bear performer after 24 seasons, Carson Jorgensen not running for reelection. The Utah Jazz have fired Jon Absey, who portrayed the team's Jazz Bear mascot for 24 years. and last updated 6:32 PM, Dec 05, 2013. Out of respect for his character, which is separate from any employee ever associated with it, we have never discussed his identity. 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. 1 of 5 Perhaps the most glaringly obvious example of a team name being unrepresentative of its current home is the Utah Jazz. All joking aside, though, Bear is in a class all his own. The only thing I had is I had a nose that dropped my lower peripheral. 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. I was so thankful that I didnt go. They immediately all pointed at me. Free shipping. Im almost ready to tap out. } Rules dont change or anything. 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. Why was Jon Absey fired from the Utah Jazz? Its moments like that you realize these high school kids are getting to see what reality is. They thought I was either going to kill myself or kill a fan, he said. Living here in Utah, it seemed like anytime there was a significant opportunity to touch kids lives or to raise money for a novel charity, the Jazz Bear would show up. Welcome to the show. I got a chance to interview him and go to Dallas and meet his mother, who was still alive and go to the mausoleum and pay tribute to the great Mickey Mantle. People like you and Andy Chudd were a huge part of that. He said he feared that people only liked him because he was the Jazz Bear, but now he realizes thats not so. Youre so important to our community, and you always will be. Tom Nissalke was the commissioner up there for the NBL back in the day. What do you think about that shift from Service before yourself. Usually, when Id get up there, I had time to take my head off, look and hook myself, and check my equipment. That was super kind to you. Where did you grow up? He also does a lot of charity work and he can interact with the kids as himself now. : The Utah Jazz mascot, Bear, performs during a time out of their game against the Denver Nuggets during Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2010 NBA Playoffs at EnergySolutions Arena on April 30, 2010 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Absey did handstands on a 23-foot tall ladder, rappeled down from the ceiling, and slid down the stairs. Thats why I started liking college because theyre out there playing for the love of the game. Im zipping in with one hand wrapped in what was called the lanyard that would slide on the cable. Dec 16, 2013, 05:10 PM EST. It's the first time he's spoken about his time in the . I was a farm boy in a little town up in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. 506.6K Followers. I dont know why, but I was able to do the trick. SALT LAKE CITY (AP) It took a bear Jazz Bear to catch a bat and leave the high-flying hijinks to the NBA players. 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. Last question, Jon. Its like a full circle. . 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. Until October 2018. A Utah Icon The Jazz Bear has been something of a cult icon in Utah for decades, leaving many Utah Jazz fans stunned. I wanted to get off the farm and see what the big city was. This is funny because I lied on the application and said I was a gymnast at Sacred Heart, but I never was. How did you come up with that idea? There are other guys that can look through their eyes, but theyre screened almost like your microphone, just those little holes, and then they have painted in their eyes. Bleacher Creatures Milwaukee Bucks Bango Mascot 8" Kuricha Sitting Plush. Yes. A new man will be donning the furry costume and entertaining Jazz fans at Utah's NBA home opener Friday night. I knew we had something in common as soon as we kept talking along. I just hope that when Im done, I can be happy knowing that maybe I did change the lives of some children through the charity work that weve done.. I was there for a number of years and then came back to school in Moorhead, Minnesota, at the Moorhead State, and then I joined the military to help pay for college. I almost missed out on being out here. I would love to see it go back to where a fan could get an autograph or talk to a player. 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? They were approachable. Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onUtah Jazz and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. 2023 Bonneville International. Jazz Bear told Fox the Starzz were looking for a mascot. Mark Eaton, the name and a man that we all miss. 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. God bless. Before, he says, he hid under a mask. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. I looked over at Craig Bolerjack and Im like, Im doing it again. I ran back up the slide. "position":"bottom", Jon Absey has played Jazz Bear since the mascots inception in 1994, but he was fired this week and is no longer with the organization, according to Utah media reports, which cited a rift with Jazz staff. For the benefit of our tribe, what were some of the most famous antics that you are still known for no other mascot does? 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. [1] I remember laying there and I couldnt move because it like took everything out of me to hold that rope. It was so fun. He literally when I got there, he said listen, you're the mascot. "label":"Spotify" I started sledding down the stairs back then and bungee jumping out of the ceiling. You got other guys that look through the mouth like the Denver Broncos. 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. I was out doing appearances a lot of times to supplement my income. When you have X number of games in a week as a professional mascot, where do you have time to strengthen your muscles? Everybody could see that Jazz Bear and not just wonder what this amazing human being must be like, but now you get a chance to see the stud muffin hunk of burning love that was inside that suit.
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