The Curse of the Bear
In one of the oddest and most unforeseen stories that occurred just before the start of the season, the Utah Jazz and the man that had long played the role of the Jazz Bear mascot – Jon Absey – parted ways. Several reports indicated that the man behind the Jazz Bear was let go due to friction with Jazz management.
Meanwhile, Absey himself claimed that “he quit” and that he “needed to move on anyway.” That’s certainly an interesting difference in the story between those two parties. Either way, it’s sad to see that the man who played the mascot so reliably and entertainingly for 24 years (he started in 1994!) had to go into retirement so unceremoniously. I always expected that when he did finally throw in the towel, there would be an impressive retirement ceremony at a Jazz game.
Story: Man inside the iconic Jazz Bear, Jon Absey, fired by Utah Jazz after 24 years. There will be a new face inside the mascot on a trial basis, but not Absey, after a rift with the staff, the source disclosed. https://t.co/GoNknWW1zK
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) October 19, 2018
Instead, the Jazz Bear mascot has simply continued forward, though with a new man behind the suit. Meanwhile, the Jazz are just 2-6 at home and have been less entertaining at Vivint Smart Home Arena than Bear 2.0 himself.
Could it be that Absey’s sudden departure and the change of the Jazz Bear so close to the season’s start has left a curse on the Utah Jazz? I certainly wouldn’t count it out.