why is the suns mascot a gorilla
The Phoenix Suns' mascot, "Go the Gorilla," originated from a quirky accident in 1980. Fans loved the unexpected performance, turning it into one of the NBA's most iconic mascots.
Origin Story
Picture this: It's a chilly winter night in 1980 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix. A singing telegram messenger named Henry Rojas from Eastern Onion Telegram Service arrives dressed in a gorilla suit to deliver a message to a Suns fan, James Oberhaus. Security spots him, suggests he entertains the crowd during the game, and Rojas dives in with dances and antics near the basket. The fans go wild—the Suns had no official mascot before this (an early sunflower idea flopped), so this happy mishap filled the void instantly.
From there, Rojas became the original Gorilla, performing until 1988. His high-flying dunks, pranks, and shenanigans made "Go" a sensation, blending athleticism with humor that elevated Suns halftime entertainment.
Evolution Over Decades
- 1980s Boom : Gorilla becomes NBA-famous, with Rojas pioneering acrobatics that set the standard.
- 1988-2005 : Bob "Crash" Miner takes over, starring in the famous 1990 "Gorilla vs. Man in Suit" Slam Dunk Contest win.
- 2006-2012 : Devin "D. Nelson" performs epic routines.
- 2012-Present : Current performer (identity private, from Grand Rapids, MI) hailed as world-class, earning 2024 NBA Mascot of the Year.
Why a gorilla in the desert? No deep symbolism—pure serendipity. Gorillas aren't native to Arizona, but the suit was handy, and the crowd's roar made it stick. No ties to team name, colors, or sun themes; it's all about that viral energy.
Cultural Impact & Fan Love
Go the Gorilla hails from the "Banana Republic" in lore, stands about 5 feet in costume, and thrives on crowd work, photo ops, and jaw-dropping stunts. He's dunked from heights, pranked opponents, and even starred in national ads. Fans call him top-tier: "One of the most iconic mascots in all of sports," per local interviews.
Criticisms? A 2021 survey ranked him third-worst (ouch!), but that's outlier noise amid endless praise on Reddit and forums.
"I get to perform for thousands... and bring smiles to people’s faces." – Henry Rojas, original Gorilla
Quick Facts Table
| Era | Performer | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| 1980-1988 | Henry Rojas | Accidental debut sparks phenomenon |
| 1988-2006 | Bob Miner | Slam Dunk Contest legend |
| 2006-2012 | Devin Nelson | Epic in-game routines |
| 2012-Now | Current (private) | 2024 Mascot of the Year |
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.