ROWDY Interview
http://www.sportsrant.com/interview-...dy-a25857.html
We have conducted a few interviews during the short time that Sportsrant.com has been on the internet and we will continue to strive to increase this. One item was that of intrest to me was being able to interview different types of sports figures. With the help of a friend and member of the rant pulp, who is a personal friend of rowdy, I was able to obtain an interview with the Dallas Cowboys mascot and get an insiders scoup on some insider secrets to one of the most unknown jobs in the National Football League.
I would like to personally thank pulp and ecspecially Rowdy for taking the time to answer Sportsrant's questions!
What mascots did you like as a kid?
Sesame Street and Walt Disney World Characters.
Who was your mascot inspiration?
The newly named Famous Chicken/ The San Diego Chicken
What was appealing for you to get in a hot suit to entertain people at a sporting event?
I was always a class clown, but my best friend in high school dared me to audition for the school mascot position. I did and became the first mascot of our school.
How did you get started as a mascot?
I started at Chuck E. Cheese
What advice would you have for young people who see their future in the mascot professional ranks?
First of all, it's not an easy job! It's got to be something you enjoy! Learn how to communicate without saying a word by using gestures, short and precise movement and over exaggerated motions.
How much of the game can you actually follow while in the costume? Different teams have different guidelines. When I was with the Jacksonville Jaguars, they had mascot skits every quarter. He would be out entertaining throughout the entire game with a break at half time. In Dallas, I primarily work with the crowd when the Cowboys are on defense. That way, I am able to follow the Cowboys offense and get involved with post-touchdown celebrations. I'm not saying which is better, but each team has its own idea of when the mascot should be used.
How important is on the field action for getting people fired up?
Very! Our job as a mascot is to get the crowd excited and involved in the game. It can be challenging to get all 65,000 people fired up, but when we perform and are able to look around and see the entire stadium on their feet screaming and yelling, we know that we have done our job.
How do you deal with a crowd that just lacks energy?
Usually, our noon games are like that. People just got out of church and it could be over 100 degrees at kickoff. It's almost too early to be excited and too hot to move around, so we use signs to help get the fans involved early.
How do you deal with the times that YOU lack energy?
Lots of Gatorade! Is it in you? My sponsors would like that! Seriously, being a mascot; lack of energy is unacceptable! That is what being a mascot is all about!
What has been your least favorite experience as a mascot?
Being a mascot, your body has to quickly adapt to the weather. We have to jump from being in costume where its 130 degrees, then get out of the costume and it's 70 degrees. You can imagine how many infections your body can handle. So, my least favorite experience is getting sick, I really need to eat better and take more vitamins.
What has been your favorite?
Making people smile!
Best part about being a mascot for the Cowboys? The Cowboys are one of the most recognizable sports franchises and brands in the world. That being said, it makes it easier for me to sell the character. I get to travel all over the country and when I step off a plane anywhere in the world, people know who we are and where we are from.
Worst part?
Once a week we visit children in hospitals all over the Dallas-Ft. Worth MetroPlex. As much as I enjoy seeing the smiles on the children's faces, it is painful to see them suffer. We visit children that will NEVER leave their rooms or even see the inside of the stadium. Some of the children are in their final days and it really hits home. I know in my heart that we are doing something special, and it helps me realize that we sometimes take the little things for granted.
Most embarrassing moment as a mascot?
Falling off the back of the stage at an N'SYNC concert.
Which other mascot in the league are you fairly certain you could beat up if it came to blows?
All of'em! HAHAH!
Which mascot do you find the most intimidating?
We all get along. During the season, we all meet up about 4-5 times for conventions, trade shows, and NFL related events, i.e., Super Bowl, Pro Bowl. In April 2006 the Mascot Convention will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Tell me something about being a mascot that you've never told anyone outside of those that work closely with you?
I can't think of anything!
What's something people don't know about mascots that you think they should know?
That this is a business!
From a mascot fan point, Terrell Owens, good pickup?
I've never been a coach so I wouldn't know the first thing about the game plan. I do know this, if we are tying to go the Super Bowl, I know that T.O. will do his best to HELP get us there.
What's the most trouble you've gotten in as a mascot?
In costume running from the police. I thought they where playing along and I came to find out that they where very serious. Oops!
What's been the highlight of your career as a mascot?
Becoming the Official Mascot of the Dallas Cowboys!
Is there a mascot union?
No
Can someone make a career out of being a mascot?
Oh yeah, we have some of the NFL guys making over $200k a year. I'm not going to mention any names, Kansas City!
What are your specific career goals in terms of being a mascot?
Longevity, continue to come up with fresh ideas, and to bring in more revenue.
Are the qualifications for being a Dallas Cowboys mascot a deep hatred for all things Redskin and/or Eagle?
It's deeper than that, it's any NFL Team other than the Cowboys!
What types of appearances do you take part in and how often?
We make over 400 appearances each year for events at schools, conventions, trade shows, birthday parties, weddings, bar/ bat mitzvahs, corporate meetings, concerts, company pep rallies and so much more!
Sportsrant.com would also like to personally thank the Dallas Cowboys for allowing this interview to take place
We have conducted a few interviews during the short time that Sportsrant.com has been on the internet and we will continue to strive to increase this. One item was that of intrest to me was being able to interview different types of sports figures. With the help of a friend and member of the rant pulp, who is a personal friend of rowdy, I was able to obtain an interview with the Dallas Cowboys mascot and get an insiders scoup on some insider secrets to one of the most unknown jobs in the National Football League.
I would like to personally thank pulp and ecspecially Rowdy for taking the time to answer Sportsrant's questions!
What mascots did you like as a kid?
Sesame Street and Walt Disney World Characters.
Who was your mascot inspiration?
The newly named Famous Chicken/ The San Diego Chicken
What was appealing for you to get in a hot suit to entertain people at a sporting event?
I was always a class clown, but my best friend in high school dared me to audition for the school mascot position. I did and became the first mascot of our school.
How did you get started as a mascot?
I started at Chuck E. Cheese
What advice would you have for young people who see their future in the mascot professional ranks?
First of all, it's not an easy job! It's got to be something you enjoy! Learn how to communicate without saying a word by using gestures, short and precise movement and over exaggerated motions.
How much of the game can you actually follow while in the costume? Different teams have different guidelines. When I was with the Jacksonville Jaguars, they had mascot skits every quarter. He would be out entertaining throughout the entire game with a break at half time. In Dallas, I primarily work with the crowd when the Cowboys are on defense. That way, I am able to follow the Cowboys offense and get involved with post-touchdown celebrations. I'm not saying which is better, but each team has its own idea of when the mascot should be used.
How important is on the field action for getting people fired up?
Very! Our job as a mascot is to get the crowd excited and involved in the game. It can be challenging to get all 65,000 people fired up, but when we perform and are able to look around and see the entire stadium on their feet screaming and yelling, we know that we have done our job.
How do you deal with a crowd that just lacks energy?
Usually, our noon games are like that. People just got out of church and it could be over 100 degrees at kickoff. It's almost too early to be excited and too hot to move around, so we use signs to help get the fans involved early.
How do you deal with the times that YOU lack energy?
Lots of Gatorade! Is it in you? My sponsors would like that! Seriously, being a mascot; lack of energy is unacceptable! That is what being a mascot is all about!
What has been your least favorite experience as a mascot?
Being a mascot, your body has to quickly adapt to the weather. We have to jump from being in costume where its 130 degrees, then get out of the costume and it's 70 degrees. You can imagine how many infections your body can handle. So, my least favorite experience is getting sick, I really need to eat better and take more vitamins.
What has been your favorite?
Making people smile!
Best part about being a mascot for the Cowboys? The Cowboys are one of the most recognizable sports franchises and brands in the world. That being said, it makes it easier for me to sell the character. I get to travel all over the country and when I step off a plane anywhere in the world, people know who we are and where we are from.
Worst part?
Once a week we visit children in hospitals all over the Dallas-Ft. Worth MetroPlex. As much as I enjoy seeing the smiles on the children's faces, it is painful to see them suffer. We visit children that will NEVER leave their rooms or even see the inside of the stadium. Some of the children are in their final days and it really hits home. I know in my heart that we are doing something special, and it helps me realize that we sometimes take the little things for granted.
Most embarrassing moment as a mascot?
Falling off the back of the stage at an N'SYNC concert.
Which other mascot in the league are you fairly certain you could beat up if it came to blows?
All of'em! HAHAH!
Which mascot do you find the most intimidating?
We all get along. During the season, we all meet up about 4-5 times for conventions, trade shows, and NFL related events, i.e., Super Bowl, Pro Bowl. In April 2006 the Mascot Convention will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Tell me something about being a mascot that you've never told anyone outside of those that work closely with you?
I can't think of anything!
What's something people don't know about mascots that you think they should know?
That this is a business!
From a mascot fan point, Terrell Owens, good pickup?
I've never been a coach so I wouldn't know the first thing about the game plan. I do know this, if we are tying to go the Super Bowl, I know that T.O. will do his best to HELP get us there.
What's the most trouble you've gotten in as a mascot?
In costume running from the police. I thought they where playing along and I came to find out that they where very serious. Oops!
What's been the highlight of your career as a mascot?
Becoming the Official Mascot of the Dallas Cowboys!
Is there a mascot union?
No
Can someone make a career out of being a mascot?
Oh yeah, we have some of the NFL guys making over $200k a year. I'm not going to mention any names, Kansas City!
What are your specific career goals in terms of being a mascot?
Longevity, continue to come up with fresh ideas, and to bring in more revenue.
Are the qualifications for being a Dallas Cowboys mascot a deep hatred for all things Redskin and/or Eagle?
It's deeper than that, it's any NFL Team other than the Cowboys!
What types of appearances do you take part in and how often?
We make over 400 appearances each year for events at schools, conventions, trade shows, birthday parties, weddings, bar/ bat mitzvahs, corporate meetings, concerts, company pep rallies and so much more!
Sportsrant.com would also like to personally thank the Dallas Cowboys for allowing this interview to take place
posted by The Gryphon at 7:54 PM
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