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Benny the Bull

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This article is about the Chicago Bulls mascot. Benny the Bull is also a character on Dora the Explorer.

Benny the Bull, commonly known as Benny, is the mascot of the Chicago Bulls, a role he has filled since 1969.[1]

Biography

For more than 40 years, Benny the Bull has been entertaining Chicago Bulls fans, first at Chicago Stadium (1969-1994), and then at the United Center (1994-present). He has become just as popular as some of the franchise's most notable figures, such as players Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, and head coach Phil Jackson. Benny is one of the longest-tenured mascots in the NBA and in all of professional sports.

Costume

The Benny the Bull suit consists of a whole-body bull costume made of bright red fur with large white eyes, a tan snout, a long red tail and black gloves with red fur on the back. Over the suit, Benny wears an authentic uniform (road red/black and home whites) and team-appointed athletic shoes. His jersey bears the name "Benny" above the number "1" on the back. Benny sports several different costumes based on the theme of the game as well as his overall "mood."

Duties

In addition to performing stunts and entertaining the crowd at Bulls games, Benny also makes public appearances throughout the greater Chicago area on behalf of the team. Benny makes approximately 250 appearances per year. As a member of the Bulls' All-Star Reading Team, he appears at schools to promote literacy and the importance of a good education. He can also be booked for private events.[1] Benny has also worked as a mascot on individual dates for other professional sports franchises, such as the Billings Outlaws.[2]

On July 2, 2006, Benny's portrayer, Barry Anderson, was arrested by an off-duty police officer while performing at the "Taste of Chicago" food festival. Dressed in the Benny the Bull costume, Anderson drove a miniature motorcycle through the festival, although he did not have a permit to do so. When the officer, who was providing security at the event, identified himself as a policeman and called on Anderson to stop, Anderson fled. The officer pursued on foot, and when he caught up with Anderson, Anderson allegedly attempted to punch him in the face, breaking the officer's watch and knocking off his glasses. Anderson has subsequently claimed that the actions were performed in "character", and that he did not intend to cause injury to the officer. He was arrested and charged with battery and driving within the parkway. After Anderson was arrested and charged, his costume was returned to the United Center.[3] The charges were later dropped after Anderson agreed to pay the cost to fix the officer's glasses. Benny was represented by Kelly A. Saindon. [4]

References

  1. ^ a b "Benny the Bull Bio", NBA.com, accessed July 5, 2006.
  2. ^ "Outlaws' O-line sackless on season", Mike Zimmer, the Billings Gazette, published June 24, 2006, accessed July 5, 2006.
  3. ^ "Benny the Bull arrested at Taste of Chicago", Annie Sweeney, the Chicago Sun-Times, published July 3, 2006, accessed July 5, 2006.
  4. ^ "Charges dropped against Bulls mascot", AP, the Chicago Tribune, published September 1, 2006, accessed September 1, 2006.
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