Sport’s colorful characters | CNN

CNN values your feedback

1. How relevant is this ad to you?
2. Did you encounter any technical issues?
Thank You!
Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much appreciated.
Close
Ad Feedback
Sports
Football
Tennis
Golf
Motorsport
US Sports
Olympics
Climbing
Esports
Hockey
More
Football Tennis Golf Motorsport US Sports Olympics Climbing Esports Hockey
Watch Listen Live TV
My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Live TV Listen Watch
Edition
US
International
Arabic
Español
Edition
  • US
  • International
  • Arabic
  • Español

Football
Tennis
Golf
Motorsport
US Sports
Olympics
Climbing
Esports
Hockey

Follow CNN

  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • US Politics
    • Trump
    • Facts First
    • CNN Polls
    • 2025 Elections
  • Business
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Calculators
    • Videos
  • Markets
    • Pre-markets
    • After-Hours
    • Fear & Greed
    • Investing
    • Markets Now
    • Nightcap
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
    • Foreseeable Future
    • Mission: Ahead
    • Work Transformed
    • Innovative Cities
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • News
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsport
    • US Sports
    • Olympics
    • Climbing
    • Esports
    • Hockey
  • Science
    • Space
    • Life
    • Unearthed
  • Climate
    • Solutions
    • Weather
  • Weather
    • Video
    • Climate
  • Ukraine-Russia War
  • Israel-Hamas War
  • Features
    • As Equals
    • Call to Earth
    • Freedom Project
    • Impact Your World
    • Inside Africa
    • CNN Heroes
  • Watch
    • Live TV
    • CNN Fast
    • Shows A-Z
    • CNN10
    • CNN Max
    • CNN TV Schedules
  • Listen
    • CNN 5 Things
    • Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
    • The Assignment with Audie Cornish
    • One Thing
    • Tug of War
    • CNN Political Briefing
    • The Axe Files
    • All There Is with Anderson Cooper
    • All CNN Audio podcasts
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Jumble Crossword
    • Sudoblock
    • Sudoku
    • 5 Things Quiz
  • About CNN
    • Photos
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Work for CNN
Tailgating
Tailgating
Ad Feedback
Sports

Sport’s colorful characters

By Drew Kann, CNN
Updated 5:48 PM EST, Tue December 20, 2016
Link Copied!
Mascot designer Tom Sapp has designed hundreds of mascots, including WuShock, who is described by Wichita State's website as a "muscular bundle of wheat." Click through the gallery for more of Sapp's creations.
'WuShock' -- Wichita State Shockers —
Mascot designer Tom Sapp has designed hundreds of mascots, including WuShock, who is described by Wichita State's website as a "muscular bundle of wheat." Click through the gallery for more of Sapp's creations.
Peter Aiken/Getty Images
Rocky is one of the most recognizable characters in the NBA and has been portrayed by the same performer for the past 27 seasons.
'Rocky' -- Denver Nuggets —
Rocky is one of the most recognizable characters in the NBA and has been portrayed by the same performer for the past 27 seasons.
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
Harry the Hawk shows off his slam dunking skills during a timeout.
'Harry the Hawk' -- Atlanta Hawks —
Harry the Hawk shows off his slam dunking skills during a timeout.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Sir CC was on hand during a 2016 championship parade to help Cleveland celebrate its first major professional sports title in more than 50 years.
'Sir CC' -- Cleveland Cavaliers —
Sir CC was on hand during a 2016 championship parade to help Cleveland celebrate its first major professional sports title in more than 50 years.
Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
Hooper the horse jokes with an official during a game.
'Hooper' -- Detroit Pistons —
Hooper the horse jokes with an official during a game.
Brian Bahr/Getty Images
Champ gets fans fired up during the 2011 NBA Finals.
'Champ' -- Dallas Mavericks —
Champ gets fans fired up during the 2011 NBA Finals.
Mark Humphrey/AP
Blaze is another of the NBA's high-flying mascots.
'Blaze' -- Portland Trail Blazers —
Blaze is another of the NBA's high-flying mascots.
Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images
Baseball royalty Sluggerrr helps cheer on the home team during the 2014 World Series.
'Sluggerrr' -- Kansas City Royals —
Baseball royalty Sluggerrr helps cheer on the home team during the 2014 World Series.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Homer, a walking baseball head, warms up before the 2016 home opener at Turner Field.
'Homer' -- Atlanta Braves —
Homer, a walking baseball head, warms up before the 2016 home opener at Turner Field.
John Bazemore/AP
Gnash, sporting a set of fangs, fires up the home crowd.
'Gnash' -- Nashville Predators —
Gnash, sporting a set of fangs, fires up the home crowd.
Frederick Breedon/Getty Images
Mascots Hairy Dawg and UGA VII -- an actual bulldog -- pose for some pregame photos.
'Hairy Dawg' -- Georgia Bulldogs —
Mascots Hairy Dawg and UGA VII -- an actual bulldog -- pose for some pregame photos.
Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images
Mr. Commodore is among the Southeastern Conference's most recognizable mascots.
'Mr. Commodore' -- Vanderbilt Commodores —
Mr. Commodore is among the Southeastern Conference's most recognizable mascots.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
A staple of the sports scene in East Lansing, Michigan, for years, Sparty is always a crowd-pleaser.
'Sparty' - Michigan State Spartans —
A staple of the sports scene in East Lansing, Michigan, for years, Sparty is always a crowd-pleaser.
Leon Halip/Getty Images
Chip braves the elements to cheer on his team from the sidelines.
'Chip' -- Colorado Buffaloes —
Chip braves the elements to cheer on his team from the sidelines.
Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images
My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Live TV Listen Watch
  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • US Politics
    • Trump
    • Facts First
    • CNN Polls
    • 2025 Elections
  • Business
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Calculators
    • Videos
  • Markets
    • Pre-markets
    • After-Hours
    • Fear & Greed
    • Investing
    • Markets Now
    • Nightcap
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
    • Foreseeable Future
    • Mission: Ahead
    • Work Transformed
    • Innovative Cities
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • News
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsport
    • US Sports
    • Olympics
    • Climbing
    • Esports
    • Hockey
  • Science
    • Space
    • Life
    • Unearthed
  • Climate
    • Solutions
    • Weather
  • Weather
    • Video
    • Climate
  • Ukraine-Russia War
  • Israel-Hamas War
  • Features
    • As Equals
    • Call to Earth
    • Freedom Project
    • Impact Your World
    • Inside Africa
    • CNN Heroes
  • Watch
    • Live TV
    • CNN Fast
    • Shows A-Z
    • CNN10
    • CNN Max
    • CNN TV Schedules
  • Listen
    • CNN 5 Things
    • Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
    • The Assignment with Audie Cornish
    • One Thing
    • Tug of War
    • CNN Political Briefing
    • The Axe Files
    • All There Is with Anderson Cooper
    • All CNN Audio podcasts
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Jumble Crossword
    • Sudoblock
    • Sudoku
    • 5 Things Quiz
  • About CNN
    • Photos
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Work for CNN

Sports
Watch Listen Live TV
Follow CNN
My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Terms of Use Privacy Policy Ad Choices Accessibility & CC About Newsletters Transcripts

© 2025 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved.
CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.