Philippines, 01 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


SECOND OVERTIME: Who is this jolly red fellow scolding me?


PhilBoxing.com




CHICAGO -- Players come and go. Franchises move on. That's just a fact of NBA life.

But years after Michael Jordan had left the building and seasons after Derrick Rose and his oft-injured body had moved on to the Knicks, the Cavaliers and now the Minnesota Timberwolves, one constant hasn't changed for the Chicago Bulls: team mascot Benny the Bull.

As a beat writer for the Bulls since 2001, I've seen Benny hundreds of times at the United Center, where he entertains thousands with his antics that include break-dancing, motorcycling, and of course, slam-dunking with an assist from a dutiful trampoline.

I've never really tried to interview Benny for two reasons: He's always busy, so good luck chasing him around, and he doesn't really talk, he's a mascot for God's sake.

But during Bulls Media last Monday at the Advocate Center, the team's practice facility, I flagged down the furry red fellow and asked him: "Why are you wearing Derrick Rose's jersey?"

Benny didn't like it. He told me through an assistant-slash-spokesman that jersey No.1 was his all along, wearing it with playful pride long before Rose was drafted by the Bulls as the No.1 overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft.

After a Google fact-check, it turned out that Benny was right.

And boy, of the many things in life I'm not proud of, being scolded by a mascot, his giant eyes glaring at me, ranks rights up there.

Not only that, he playfully threatened me with physical violence while holding a caveman-like club. This by the way unfolded amid a sea of Bulls players and reporters who must have wondered: Who picks up a fight with a mascot?

So who is Benny the the Bull?

Well, hes' an icon in the Chicago sports scene who can party like a rock star. He plays the electric guitar, the drums, and with people's feelings, especially those who dare come to the United Center wearing enemy jerseys. But all in good fun of course as he spills them unintentionally (wink, wink) with a huge bag of popcorn.

Benny was named after Ben Bentley, the Bulls first public relations manager and Stadium announcer. He's been the team's mascot since 1969 and has never looked back. In 2016 Forbes named him the most popular mascot in all of sports while USA Today ranked him the NBA's No.1 mascot in 2018.

Benny the Bull has adapted to the times and has gone digital. He has 233,000 followers on Instagram and 129,000 on Facebook. Just for the record, I have zero followers on both social media platforms.

Benny works just as hard as any other Bull. He makes about 250 appearances a year, championing the team's charitable pursuits and visiting sick kids at hospitals where he puts smiles on the faces of those who need rays of sunshine and hope.

Benny the Bull, after all, isn't just a jolly red fellow. He really is an All-Star good guy.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Dumadag holds chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
    By Ace Freeman, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • SBA SEASON 2 DRAFT UNVEILS RISING STARS AND STRATEGIC MOVES AS TEAMS COMPLETE THEIR ROSTERS
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Filipino Elwin Retanal wins Saudi rapid chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Jake Paul Earns Boxing Legitimacy with Dominant Decision Over Julio Cesar Chávez Jr.
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Zurdo Ramirez Defends Cruiserweight Crowns with Unanimous Decision Over Dorticos
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Faces Sarawut Thawornkham Today at Venue 88 in Gensan
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • USA Elite High Performance Team Sets Sights on Gold at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Alekhine Nouri bags silver in blitz
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chavez Jr: Can Julio Derail Jake Paul?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Dr. KO: Christian Mbilli Stops Maciej Sulecki in 1
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY SIGNS UNDEFEATED MIDDLEWEIGHT BLUE-CHIP PROSPECT AMARI JONES
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chávez Jr. is a Go: All Fighters Make Weight in Anaheim Ahead of High-Stakes Bout
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • IIEE Chessmasters Overall Champion in the International Bundesliga with GM Joey Antonio
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Kittipong of Thailand Battles Bhavesh of India in Brico Santig's Exciting Show in Bangkok
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Weights from Philadelphia
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Alekhine Nouri and John Jerish Velarde struck gold and bronze
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Would OKC Still Win the West If Dallas Had Not Traded Doncic?
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 27 Jun 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.