SALT LAKE CITY — Bear, the Jazz mascot who was the subject of multiple features in Sunday's Deseret News, has been at this job since the franchise debuted the furry entertainer in 1994.
But when this Bear decides to call it quits there will be a new human being behind the NBA-licensed mask.
"The Jazz own the character," the 16-year veteran said, "so when I'm gone it will be manifested by a new soul." (Hopefully not one named Yogi.)
Some more Bear tidbits:
This Bear is aiming for at least another four seasons to hit the 20-year mark, by the way. And, yes, he knows there are some who want his job. One guy, in particular, asked how to become an NBA mascot. Bear gave him advice for a while, when the real truth came out. "Well," the inquisitor said, "more specifically: your job." Bear's tongue-in-cheek advice: "Put in a resume. Eventually I'll be dead."
Know the Little Bear that occasionally follows Big Bear around? It's not Bear's kid, as some rumor it to be. There is actually an adult male inside, who mostly entertains fans closer to the rafters. "The funny thing," Bear laughed, "is when he first came out everybody in the upper bowl was just like, 'We thought Bear was bigger.'" For the record, Bear stands about 6-feet tall; Little Bear is about 4-foot-5.
The secret to staying in good enough shape to perform athletic stunts? A diet of "a six pack of Bud Light, a pizza and some doughnuts." Bear was joking. (We think.) Bear actually follows a "functional workout" plan given to him by the Jazz's strength coach, focusing on his core strength.
Here are the usual reactions of fans toward the Bear: Kids 7-and-under "probably 90 percent crying," children 7-12 are "pretty cool with it," any adolescent 12-18 "just wants to beat me up," those between 18-30 are "kind of indifferent" and, he added, "everybody over 30 just wants their picture taken with me and thinks I'm cute and cuddly."
What about that funky-looking tall plastic Bear with the gross-looking long tongue? Bear's inside of that, too. "The inflatable's fun. You have to be so animated in there to make it functional. Everything is big movements." Until he leaves the court, and he has to crouch down as it deflates.
e-mail: jody@desnews.com