February 25, 2007
Went to blows Friday night at Target Center. I don't normally lose my cool, especially in public, but it happened, and I can't take it back.
Crunch, the Timberwolves mascot celebrated his birthday at the Wolves/Suns game, and he invited me, his favorite media pal to take part in the festivities.
I served as the referee for the Halftime Roller Derby Musical Chair contest. Competing in the event were Crunch, several other NBA mascots, in town for the special event, and the Minnesota Rollergirls.
As ref, I made a point of running a tight ship. When the music stopped, and you weren't in a chair, you were out. Yes, I was animated, and yes, I made liberal use of my whistle. Unfortunately, the Houston Rockets mascot, Clutch, took issue and came after me. After throwing me to the floor, I bounced up and ripped off his jersey, exposing a pink thong.
It was a pretty ugly incident, and completely choreographed.
I got to hang in the dressing room and meet all the mascots without their masks. Those guys are cut from a rare cloth. All of them are quite athletic, some with gymnastics backgrounds. They all love entertaining others, but seem to very much relish their anonymity too. Their sense of humor can get warped at times too.
One of the mascots, who I won't name, wanted to go out on the court with a water bottle in his private area to give people the wrong impression. The other guys quickly talked some sense into him, telling him, you'll end up on You Tube and then Sportscenter. Your franchise won't be pleased they added.
He took the water bottle out.
An interesting night with a bunch of interesting characters. I was so caught up in what I was doing with these furry pranksters, that I barely recognized when NBA MVP Steve Nash walked right by me in the corridor.
perkout