No we won't.

The job of the mascot is to entertain the crowd, and if this entertainment includes making an ass out of somebody else, so be it. I would think making an ass out of an official would make it that much better, in the eyes of the average fan. I don't see gender as an issue.

And by the way, it isn't a woman. I would have bet that is wasn't.


The Bear facts: The Utah Jazz 16-year mascot, Bear, balances life of court jester, charity king | Deseret News

Well gender is a role to many and would be a big factor to many. People should respect each other's space and I am not so sure I would have just stood there not knowing anything about who is in the suit. Then again, that is me. Just like I would not make certain gestures or comments to a 16 year old cheerleader at a HS game because someone would take that comment a different way than possibly intended as opposed to saying something similar to an adult.

As a matter of fact I was on a game where an official had to go to court for assault because a parent was offended by the official running into a female cheerleader. So, yes, gender matters in these cases more than most of you would ever know or admit. And I repeat, if I knew who was in the suit that would have a great deal with my reaction. If many here do not care, that is fine, but I am very careful that I say to mascots or cheerleaders because something you think is not a big deal, because a big deal. I know someone that just got fired for saying that a HS cheerleader was "hot."

Peace

I heartily agree with this part.

No matter who is in the suit:

"Take it somewhere else, bear."

"Not kidding, bear. Get away from me."

I'm hoping the cheerleaders from the home team last Friday night aren't itching for a lawsuit, because on one of the first trips down the floor as Lead that night, I wiped out about three of them and sent them into the wall. I was going to say something to them about backing up, but the next time I looked they had gotten the hint and gave us plenty of room the rest of the night.

I'm more worried about not getting drilled by a cheerleader doing back-handsprings down the sideline.

Mark handled this perfectly.

You don't want robots out there who just ignore attention from mascots. That will make them seem cold, unapproachable, etc. Instead, Mark danced with him for a few seconds. That gets people to laugh and then he goes back to being professional, as we need referees to be.

I agree with this. I just look at the expressions on all the people's faces in the stands and know the NBE looks at this as just another part of their "entertainment package" and would approve of the official handling it just as he did. Kudos.