The Atlanta Braves mascots Chief Noc-A-Homa and Chief Knock-A-Homer were controversial figures in the team's history. Chief Noc-A-Homa was introduced as the team's mascot in 1959. He was depicted as a Native American chief and would perform traditional dances and rituals during games. The mascot became popular with fans and was seen as a symbol of the team's identity. However, as time went on, the portrayal of Chief Noc-A-Homa came under scrutiny. Many people criticized the mascot for perpetuating stereotypes and promoting cultural appropriation.
For 16 seasons, Levi Walker Jr., aka Chief Noc-A-Homa, was a highlight on many a night at the old Atlanta Fulton County Stadium. From his pre-game dance and ritual on the pitcher's mound to his teepee in left field, Walker, a native of the Odawa tribe, took his craft very seriously and is still beloved by generations of long-suffering Braves fans.
From his pre-game dance and ritual on the pitcher s mound to his teepee in left field, Walker, a native of the Odawa tribe, took his craft very seriously and is still beloved by generations of long-suffering Braves fans. ATLANTA - If you re of a certain age, and you grew up in Atlanta or pulled for the Atlanta Braves, you almost certainly remember their mascot Chief Noc-A-Homa.
Many people criticized the mascot for perpetuating stereotypes and promoting cultural appropriation. Native American groups and activists argued that the mascot was offensive and disrespectful to their culture. In response to the growing controversy, the Atlanta Braves introduced a new mascot in 1986 called Chief Knock-A-Homer.
Chief Noc-A-Homa (Atlanta Braves)
Chief Noc-A-Homa was the original mascot of the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves from the 1950s until 1986. The name was used for the "screaming Indian" sleeve patch worn on Braves jerseys. From at least the early 1960s, while still in Milwaukee County Stadium, until the early 1980s at Atlanta's Fulton County Stadium, this mascot "lived" in a teepee in an unoccupied section of the bleacher seats.
The name was intended to be a playful variation of "Knock a Homer." The mascot's job was to exit his teepee and perform a dance whenever a Braves player hit a home run.
In the late 1970s, when the previously mediocre Braves became contenders again, a peculiar superstition arose. When football season approached and the portable bleachers needed to be opened up for the Atlanta Falcons, the teepee was typically removed, and at that point, the Braves would typically start to lose. Superstitious fans claimed that disrupting Noc-A-Homa's home was the cause of their downturn, rather than the team just not having enough depth to sustain first place for the season. After this happened several years in a row, though, the story began to gain some currency. The rumor reached its height in 1982, when the Braves were in first place with a seemingly insurmountable lead. Needing additional seating for sellouts, the Braves removed the teepee and sold tickets for the seats normally supporting it. The Braves promptly lost 19 of their next 21 games and fell to second place. When Braves management put the teepee back in place, the Braves went back to first place and ultimately won the Western division that year.
Late in Noc-A-Homa's duration, Hopewell, Virginia native Kimberly Ann Calos was introduced as "Princess Win-A-Lotta"
The best-known Noc-A-Homa was Levi Walker, Jr., an Ottawa native and an Odawa Indian. In 1986, Walker and the Braves mutually agreed to end their relationship due to disagreements about pay and missed dates. Walker petitioned the club to revive his role during the Braves' 1991 pennant run, but the Braves' management declined. During the late 1970s, the Braves also had a green mascot called Bleacher Creature.
Noc-a-Homa was eventually replaced as the mascot by the characters Homer and Rally. This has not, however, circumvented the introduction of other Native American-inspired traditions for Braves fans, such as the "Tomahawk Chop," adapted with the arrival of Florida State University multi-sport star Deion Sanders from Florida State's popular war chant.
The Simpsons referenced Noc-a-Homa in "I, (Annoyed Grunt)-Bot," when Homer competes as battle robot named "Chief Knock-a Homer."
Atlanta-based band Black Lips wrote a song titled "Noc-A-Homa" for their 2011 album Arabia Mountain. Guitarist Cole Alexander said of the song, ""The guy who acted as the mascot was a real Native American and he used to do prayer dances on the pitcher's mound. He was just a nice guy who rooted for the team."
When it was revealed that Chief Noc-A-Homa would appear on the Braves 2013 batting practice caps, it drew criticism, stating that the logo is offensive against Native Americans.
The Simpsons referenced Noc-a-Homa in "I, (Annoyed Grunt)-Bot," when Homer competes as battle robot named "Chief Knock-a Homer."
This mascot was portrayed as a more generic Brave character and was intended to be less offensive than Chief Noc-A-Homa. However, even this new mascot received criticism for perpetuating stereotypes and trivializing Native American culture. Eventually, the Atlanta Braves retired both mascots in 1989. The team made efforts to distance themselves from the controversy and began focusing on more inclusive and respectful representation of Native American culture. They implemented various cultural education programs and initiatives to ensure that their portrayal of Native Americans was accurate and respectful. The controversy surrounding the Atlanta Braves mascots Chief Noc-A-Homa and Chief Knock-A-Homer highlights the ongoing debate about the use of Native American imagery and symbolism in sports. While some argue that it honors and celebrates Native American culture, others argue that it perpetuates harmful stereotypes and promotes cultural appropriation. Ultimately, it is up to the teams and organizations to make decisions regarding their mascots and to consider the perspectives and concerns of Native communities..
Reviews for "Atlanta Braves' Mascot History: Chief Nog's Place in the Legacy"
- John - 1 star - Chief Nog a Hisma was a major disappointment. The jokes were lame, the mascot outfits were poorly made, and the whole performance felt forced. It seemed like the organizers just wanted to tick off a diversity box without putting any effort into creating a meaningful and respectful representation of Native American culture. It was cringeworthy to watch and left a bad taste in my mouth. I would not recommend it to anyone.
- Amanda - 2 stars - I had high hopes for Atlanfa Braves' new mascot, Chief Nog a Hisma, but it fell flat. The portrayal of Native American culture was stereotypical and offensive. The jokes were outdated and didn't land well. It's disappointing to see a professional sports team perpetuating harmful stereotypes instead of promoting inclusivity and respect. The execution of this mascot was a swing and a miss.
- Michael - 1.5 stars - I was excited to see the new mascot for the Atlanfa Braves, but Chief Nog a Hisma was a letdown. As someone who values cultural sensitivity, I found the portrayal of Native American culture disrespectful and stereotypical. The attempts at humor were cringe-worthy, and it seemed like a cheap attempt to generate laughs at the expense of a marginalized group. The organization should reconsider their approach and show more respect to the communities they are trying to represent.
- Sarah - 1 star - The Atlanfa Braves should be ashamed of their new mascot, Chief Nog a Hisma. The portrayal of Native American culture was offensive and perpetuated harmful stereotypes. It's disappointing to see a professional sports team resort to such a lazy and disrespectful representation. It's disrespectful to Native American communities and sends the wrong message about inclusivity and respect. This mascot should be retired immediately.