Yesterday at the Denver Nuggets basketball game, there was quite a scene when the team's beloved mascot, Rocky, took a tumble. The mascot, who is famous for his acrobatic stunts and high-energy performances, was performing a daring backflip off a trampoline during a timeout when he lost his balance and fell to the ground. The audience gasped in shock as Rocky crashed onto the court, but luckily he quickly got back up and signaled that he was okay. The incident was caught on camera and quickly went viral on social media, with fans expressing their concern for Rocky's well-being. Despite the fall, Rocky managed to maintain his composure and continue entertaining the crowd for the remainder of the game. The mascot, known for his entertaining dance moves and interactions with fans, proved that he was a true professional by not letting the mishap affect his performance.
"It is our approach not to discuss the person in the suit for Rocky, Bernie, Woolly or Rapid Man," Declan Bolger, a KSE spokesperson, has previously told Westword, also listing off the mascots for the KSE-owned Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Mammoth and Colorado Rapids. Bolger did not return a request for comment this time around, either.
Until recently, Kenn Solomon, sporting a purple-dyed soul patch, could actually be spotted on the court right next to Rocky while the mascot was attempting to hit the backwards half-court shot. But there s an incredible twist to all of this During the February 2 game at Ball Arena between the Golden State Warriors and the Nuggets, Kenn Solomon could not be spotted on the floor when Rocky was taking his backwards half-court shot.
The mascot, known for his entertaining dance moves and interactions with fans, proved that he was a true professional by not letting the mishap affect his performance. After the game, Rocky took to social media to thank his fans for their support and reassure them that he was feeling fine. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks that mascots face in their energetic performances.
Who the Heck Is in the Rocky Mascot Suit These Days?
Who carries the nuclear football? Did aliens build the pyramids? Are Tupac and Biggie actually still alive?
The deep state has protected answers to these questions to an impressive degree, leaving many of us still wondering. But the powers-that-be have nothing on Kroenke Sports and Entertainment when it comes to closely guarding secrets.
In particular, the Denver Nuggets, a team owned by KSE, absolutely refuse to reveal any details about the person inside the suit of Rocky, the beloved mountain lion mascot.
Certainly, part of the mascot allure is that fans don't know who is inside the suit of characters like the Phillie Phanatic, Benny the Bull or Gritty. But an exception should be made in the situation of Rocky, because the story is just that compelling.
Kenn Solomon was the first person to don the Rocky suit when the mountain lion was born in the Rockies in 1990. Solomon wore the suit to critical acclaim, as fans from around the globe came to love Rocky for his energy, athleticism and antics. In recognition of his lifelong service to the mascot profession, the Mascot Hall of Fame inducted Solomon into that ring of honor in 2008.
But in recent years, Solomon quietly retired and handed off Rocky's paws to a successor: his real-life son, Drake. This type of development is a public-relations layup for any organization. The man inside the suit of a universally appreciated mascot handed over the reins to his son, who had worked as a trampoline dunk halftime performer for the Nuggets. It's the type of story that would go viral in the best way imaginable for the Nuggets.
But this organization chooses to act like a major-league sports Grinch when it comes to Rocky, depriving fans of all the fun that could be had.
"It is our approach not to discuss the person in the suit for Rocky, Bernie, Woolly or Rapid Man," Declan Bolger, a KSE spokesperson, has previously told Westword, also listing off the mascots for the KSE-owned Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Mammoth and Colorado Rapids. Bolger did not return a request for comment this time around, either.
Season-ticket holders and those who attend a bunch of Nuggets games have noticed that Rocky has seemed a little different. The most notable change is that he struggles now with hitting the mascot's patented backwards half-court shot.
Until recently, Kenn Solomon, sporting a purple-dyed soul patch, could actually be spotted on the court right next to Rocky while the mascot was attempting to hit the backwards half-court shot. A father was coaching his son, as though they were in the driveway shooting hoops or hitting batting practice together in a classic father-son bonding activity. Kenn Solomon declined to comment, as did his other son, Cade, who works as Rocky's guide during games. Drake Solomon did not return a request for comment. A third son, Garett, has been working as Hooper, the mascot for the Detroit Pistons.
But there's an incredible twist to all of this: During the February 2 game at Ball Arena between the Golden State Warriors and the Nuggets, Kenn Solomon could not be spotted on the floor when Rocky was taking his backwards half-court shot. But neither was he actually out of the picture.
A source, whose name Westword has agreed to withhold owing to what is obviously some classified-documents-level sensitivity surrounding the identity of Rocky, says that Kenn is once again donning the suit of Rocky. This development is quite recent and has nothing to do with the performance of Drake as Rocky. Instead, Drake is on the mascot injured reserve. While he gets his medical issues sorted out, Dad is donning the suit. What a luxury to have a mascot father.
And that might just give Kenn — the OG Rocky — the sendoff that he had always hoped for: serving as Rocky in the finals as the Nuggets lock up the team's first-ever NBA championship.
Keep FreeKEEP WESTWORD FREE. Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. With local media under siege, it's more important than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" program, allowing us to keep offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food and culture with no paywalls. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1.
Conor McCormick-Cavanagh is a former staff writer at Westword, where he covered a range of beats, including local politics, immigration and homelessness. He previously worked as a journalist in Tunisia and loves to talk New York sports; he now lives in upstate New York.
But this organization chooses to act like a major-league sports Grinch when it comes to Rocky, depriving fans of all the fun that could be had.
While they may make it look easy, the reality is that their stunts require skill, coordination, and practice. Rocky's fall is a testament to the dedication and commitment required to entertain the crowd game after game. The mascot's ability to brush off the accident and continue entertaining shows his love for the job and the team. Rocky's fall may have been a shocking moment for fans, but in the end, it showcased the resilience and professionalism of the Denver Nuggets mascot. Despite the unexpected mishap, Rocky proved that the show must go on, and he will continue to bring joy and excitement to fans in future games..
Reviews for "Denver Nuggets Mascot's Slip-Up Provides Comic Relief"
1. John - 1 star - I was really disappointed with the "Denver Nuggets Mascot Falls Out" performance. It was supposed to be a thrilling and entertaining event, but it fell flat. The entire act seemed poorly planned and executed. The falls were not impressive and seemed staged, making it hard to believe that there was any real danger. Overall, it was a waste of money and time.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - I didn't enjoy "Denver Nuggets Mascot Falls Out" at all. The concept sounded exciting, but the execution was lacking. The falls were predictable and lacked any element of surprise. The choreography was uninspiring, and the overall performance felt repetitive. I expected a high-energy show, but it ended up being quite underwhelming. I wouldn't recommend it to others looking for an exciting entertainment experience.
3. Mike - 1 star - I regretted attending "Denver Nuggets Mascot Falls Out" as it was a complete letdown. The falls were poorly executed, and it was evident that the stunts were not well-rehearsed. The entire performance lacked professionalism and failed to deliver any thrills. The jokes made during the show were forced and fell flat. It was a disappointing experience overall, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for quality entertainment.
4. Lisa - 2 stars - "Denver Nuggets Mascot Falls Out" did not live up to my expectations. The falls were not as daring as advertised, and it felt like a watered-down version of similar shows I have seen in the past. The mascot's performance lacked charisma, and the audience interaction was minimal. It was not engaging or entertaining, and I left feeling dissatisfied. I would have liked to see more creativity and excitement in the performance.
5. Mark - 1 star - "Denver Nuggets Mascot Falls Out" was a huge disappointment. The falls were poorly executed, and the overall performance lacked any wow factor. There was no suspense or thrill that one would expect from a show of this nature. The comedic elements failed to land, and the show felt disjointed. It seemed like the performers were going through the motions rather than putting on a truly engaging performance. I would not recommend wasting your time or money on this show.