Spring Chicken

A handful of people sent me this article, either to show me that I am not the oldest mascot in the world, or because they thought it might make for a nice blog article.

DES MOINES, Iowa — In the middle of the sixth inning of an Iowa Cubs minor-league baseball game this month, a 55-year-old man in a chicken suit challenged someone dressed as Barney the Dinosaur to a dance-off.

The San Diego Chicken didn’t win — it turns out Barney is a good break dancer — but the chicken got the last laugh: While Barney celebrated, the chicken blindsided him to the turf along the first-base line, delighting the crowd.

For 35 years, Ted Giannoulas has jumped and run — and flattened Barney — at ballparks across America, climbing into a feathered costume to go to work as the San Diego Chicken. (Seattle Times)

It’s always refreshing to hear from Ted, who gets so much enjoyment out of dressing up like a bird and entertaining.  It’s not suprising he keeps plugging along, since the job is clearly keeping him young.

It is amazing when I think about being a 40 year old mascot who was inspired as a 9 year old kid watching the Chicken at Met Stadium….and he’s going to outlast me.

So thanks to the handful of people who wanted to remind me of my age.

–Cudo

Read the Gameops.com Interview with the Chicken

Jon Cudo is the Founder and Editor of Gameops.com and a 21-year veteran in game presentation and the most tenured mascot in team sports. His blog covers everything from game night promotions, site news, mascotting, book reviews and more. It's not "must read"....but it's close.
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