Swoop, Philadelphia Eagles mascot Interview

Swoop, Philadelphia Eagles mascot Interview - April 17th, 2006

Random Articles:

Sportsrant continues its coverage of NFL mascots with an interview of Philadelphia Eagles mascot Swoop. This series of interviews sheds some light into the daily lives of one of the most grueling jobs in the National Football League. One would think that a job such as this would be easy, that anyone could perform such a task, not true at all. Sportsrant.com would personally like to thank Swoop and the Philadelphia Eagles organization for allowing this interview to take place.

1.What mascots did you like as a kid?
The Oriole Bird and Goofy

2.Who was your mascot inspiration?
The Oriole Bird, he made me the bird I am today

3.What was appealing for you to get in a hot suit to entertain people at a sporting event?
Getting away with things that you couldn’t without wearing the suit; I make a fool of myself all the time people might as well not know what I look like!

4.How did you get started as a mascot?
I was the University of Delaware Fighting Blue Hen; YoUDee… so I guess this is a story of the chicken coming before the egg! SIDENOTE: (YoUDee has a lineage of pro mascots---- Clutch the Houston Rockets Bear, myself, Reggy the Purple Party Dude and Poe from the Ravens)

5.What advice would you have for young people who see their future in the mascot professional ranks?
Have fun inside the suit, but separate that side when you are out of your costume because there is a serious business side to your job as well.

6.How much of the game can you actually follow while in the costume?
Half at best, I am always flying around the stadium for promotions and seat deliveries. I do try and watch the action in the redzone as much as possible though.

7.How important is on the field action for getting people fired up?
In Philly, it isn’t as important as it is EASY! My crowd is ready, willing and able and half the time I am just there for the ride.

8.How do you deal with a crowd that just lacks energy?
Dunno, I’m in Philly!

9.How do you deal with the times that YOU lack energy?
The only time I lack energy is when I am sick; that is the worst, being in a hot costume with a massive snotty head cold. You just suck it up and burn your cold away!

10.What has been your least favorite experience as a mascot?
All the times when I am about to pass out from heat exhaustion.

11.What has been your favorite?
My favorite moment in costume was my first NFL game; I skydived into the Vet for our home-opener against the Cardinals in 1999.

12.Worst part?
As a mascot you travel a lot, and that can get tedious; but I still wouldn’t trade it in for the world!

13.Most embarrassing moment as a mascot?
I forgot my wings one time at a gig; so I had to wear a long sleeve t-shirt instead of them. I now always triple check that I have all my costume before I go anywhere!

14.Which other mascot in the league are you fairly certain you could beat up if it came to blows?
Since I am the American symbol and I can easily say all the other weakling birds in the NFL. But especially my baby-bird brother Poe from the Ravens… just ask him about it!

15.Which mascot do you find the most intimidating?
None, I know where they all live!

16.Tell me something about being a mascot that you've never told anyone outside of those that work closely with you?
Professional costumes are expensive! They are custom made and can cost anywhere from 10-30K per suit.

17.What's the most trouble you've gotten in as a mascot?
I was almost arrested as YoUDee while at a Towson University Basketball game when I accidentally decked an old man who walked behind me while I was cheering on my Hens. It turned out he was a huge financial supporter of Towson’s basketball team. You should have seen me explaining to the cop that the “assault” was an accident while in a big blue chicken costume!

18.What's been the highlight of your career as a mascot?
Finally wining the NFC Championship game at home here in Philadelphia. After losing the other two previous Championship games, it felt good to see this more than deserving town get to the Super Bowl. It also allowed me to appreciate playing in Jacksonville a whole lot more!

19.Can someone make a career out of being a mascot?
Definitely! Absolutely! But not in my feathers… I’m locked up here in Philly for awhile!

20.What are your specific career goals in terms of being a mascot?
I would love one day to be a part of the Pro-Football hall of fame, don’t know if that will ever happen but I am gonna try my darndest to get there!

21.What types of appearances do you take part in and how often?
I am at about 400 appearances a year from charities to grand openings to wedding receptions… I love crashing those parties!

22.Did you ever have a one on one conversation with T.O.? If So, what were the details?
No, in fact the first time I met T.O. after we signed him he was on his cell phone and I was getting into character (literally). He stopped, looked at me realized who I was, got off his cell phone and introduced himself to me. I always thought that was cool of him. God, I look forward to the Cowboy-Eagles game this year!!!!

2 comments - join this discussion...

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:10 PM.

Copyright © 2002 - SportsRant.com. All rights reserved.
All materials contained on this web site are copyrighted by SportsRant.com except where explicitly noted otherwise.
SEO by vBSEO 3.3.2 ©2009, Crawlability, Inc.

Contact Us - SportsRant.com - Terms - Archive - Top