As the Nuggets tried to rally from their deficit in the opening-round NBA playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers, coach George Karl wanted his team to give more energy and effort – the kind of hustle displayed on a nightly basis by Rocky, the team’s mascot. For 16 years the wiry mountain lion has been one of the best parts of attending games. Nuggets management and Rocky himself, however, would prefer to keep his identity under wraps.
“It’s maintaining the illusion,” Rocky said. “There are some children who don’t know there’s a person underneath the costume.”
Rocky did take some time recently to discuss how he clawed his way to the top of the dog-eat-dinosaur world of pro mascots.
Anthony Cotton: What happens to Rocky when the Nuggets’ season ends?
Rocky: There are still some appearances, schools, charities, those types of things. Obviously, it slows down a little bit and Rocky gets to recover for a few weeks.
AC: How did this all come about?
R: I was mascot at Utah State. Before that I was at Ricks College in Idaho and I was my high school mascot.
AC: What was it about this that was so attractive?
R: I went to a game once and saw the San Diego Chicken. I watched him the whole time and thought, “You know what. That’s what I want to do.” My friends would go out and do all kinds of flips and stuff at the football games but I found out we had a costume. I went to my high school’s vice principal and got permission to wear it. And I guess I got kind of good at it. I ended up getting a full ride for it at Utah State.
AC: A full scholarship for being a mascot?
R: Yup. I asked if they had a mascot and they said no, so I did a game for them. They loved it, but said they could only give me $150 per semester, so I said I’d keep looking. But they kept calling me back with offers and pretty soon they said they’d cover me with the full ride.
AC: And then Denver?
R: I came here a year later. I had a video and I kept calling and hounding them. I actually went back to Utah State, but then the Nuggets called and said they were having tryouts. I got the job, but I did one more game at Utah State. They beheaded me, showed everybody who I was in a halftime presentation, and then they sent me off to the big leagues.
AC: I’m sure at some point you’ve come upon the Chicken in your work. What was that like for you?
R: Well, as it is with most heroes, when you meet them it’s a whole different story. I was disappointed in him personally; the image was just shot. When someone is so big in your mind, it usually doesn’t measure up when you meet him.
AC: This season was your 16th birthday. What’s it like when you have a party and all the other mascots come in?
R: Oh, my gosh, it’s crazier than on the court. Of course, I can’t keep control of them to practice anything. Everyone is telling war stories and showing off. Before the game people are pulling pranks on each other, hiding costume parts and spraying Silly String.
AC: Tell the truth now, aren’t you happy you’re not (Rockies mascot) Dinger?
R: Well, I think that would be a more difficult gig, let’s put it that way. I think that’s a tough character size-wise. Plus he’s got to work a lot of games outside in the heat.
AC: How much weight do you lose in an average game?
R: I never weighed myself before and after, but I lose at least 5 pounds. I go through three different undershirts, three or four headbands. I go back and change a lot because I’m sopping wet. It’s like running around with a plastic bag on your head; sometimes it’s hard to breathe. But I don’t notice it until I get to the back after the game, then I realize I’m worn out and tired. There have been many games where I’ve gotten IVs and been on oxygen afterward. When the other mascots come in, they all complain about the altitude and give me props for being able to do what I do.
AC: When you’re hanging out at a coffee shop, and the two people in line in front of you are going on and on about what they saw Rocky do at the Nuggets game the night before, what do you do?
R: That’s happened so many times. Usually I just keep my mouth shut. There’s been a few times when I’ll jump in and go, “Oh, yeah, I saw that, too. What did you think about it?” It’s my little way of getting feedback.
AC: Is it hard separating yourself from the character?
R: If I could do this for the rest of my life, I would. Sometimes people say they can see me in Rocky and vice versa. There’s a real fuzzy line between Rocky and myself. What people see in Rocky is an extension of me and who I am. I get to do things no one else can, and the Nuggets have been so good to me and allowed me to push the envelope and supported me in ways no one can see.
AC: When you had your troubles a few years ago (a 2002 arrest related to a domestic dispute, the prosecution of which was deferred), were you afraid you were going to lose all of it?
R: I was very worried about it. When something like that happens, there’s no chance for everything to come out. It is what it is, the damage is done. I was afraid the image would be completely shot, that the Nuggets would look at it as a hindrance to the organization. But we met and talked and they said they supported me.
AC: Now that the Nuggets are in the playoffs, does anyone ever suggest you tone down the routines a bit?
R: No; in fact, we’re wondering how we can turn it up. I’m about to go to a meeting with our risk management people. That will be, “Here are all the ideas we came up with. What are you going to say no to?”
AC: It seems like over time the NBA has loosened up, in terms of letting the referees get involved with you.
R: Actually, I think they’ve tightened up. Tremendously. They’ve given the refs some guidelines. I’ve been told by some of the other mascots that the refs have refused to work with them that night. I’ve been very fortunate; I guess I’ve built up enough rapport that they haven’t balked at anything yet. But Rocky used to rappel over McNichols, but since that pro wrestler died doing that, we can’t. Rocky used to climb up and stand on the hoop. We can’t do that. There’s a rule that you can’t stand up on the press table, but I do it anyway. There’s one certain spot that no one’s said anything about yet, knock on wood. There’s a whole packet of things we can be fined for.
AC: How old are you, and what’s the age range for a pro mascot?
R: I’m 39. I’m one of the older ones now. The (Phoenix Suns) Gorilla is two years older than me. Wait, I shouldn’t say anything about the Gorilla. If you can leave him out, please do.
AC: A rivalry?
R: No, actually none. I said something once about his salary and he called me up and said, “Dude, what are you doing?” I’m at the older end. The (San Antonio Spurs) Coyote was six or seven years older than me, and he had a stroke two seasons ago. It certainly takes a toll on my body, but I’d like to think I’m in pretty good shape.
Anthony Cotton can be reached at 303-820-1292 or acotton@denverpost.com.
