The Denver Nuggets mascot, Rocky, has been creating quite a sensation recently. Known for his energetic and entertaining performances during games, Rocky has won over the hearts of basketball fans and players alike. However, in a recent game, the mascot gave everyone quite the surprise when he swooned during his routine. It all happened during halftime, when Rocky typically performs his signature dance moves and acrobatics. As he was mid-flip, he suddenly faltered and landed in a heap on the court. The audience gasped in shock, and players from both teams rushed to his side.
Solomon was a tough act to follow. As one of the most electric entertainers ever to grace an NBA game, Solomon certainly goes down as an obvious choice for the mascot Mount Rushmore. He's also one of the greatest backward half-court shooters ever — even when garbed in mountain lion gear.
At the beginning of the 2021-2022 NBA season, fans began to notice that Rocky, the beloved mountain lion mascot of the Denver Nuggets, seemed a little different. It was no wonder Kenn Solomon, the man inside the Rocky suit since 1990 the year the mountain lion was born and a 2008 Mascot Hall of Fame inductee, had retired, handing off Rocky s paws to his successor.
The audience gasped in shock, and players from both teams rushed to his side. Medical staff quickly arrived at the scene, checking Rocky's vitals and providing on-site medical attention. It was determined that he had fainted as a result of dehydration and exhaustion.
Father-Son Duo: OG Rocky Helps Out New Rocky During Nuggets Games
At the beginning of the 2021-2022 NBA season, fans began to notice that Rocky, the beloved mountain lion mascot of the Denver Nuggets, seemed a little different. The mascot's patented backward half-court shot was falling much less often than it had in the past. And Rocky's energy just seemed to have changed.
It was no wonder: Kenn Solomon, the man inside the Rocky suit since 1990 — the year the mountain lion was born — and a 2008 Mascot Hall of Fame inductee, had retired, handing off Rocky's paws to his successor.
Solomon was a tough act to follow. As one of the most electric entertainers ever to grace an NBA game, Solomon certainly goes down as an obvious choice for the mascot Mount Rushmore. He's also one of the greatest backward half-court shooters ever — even when garbed in mountain lion gear.
Kroenke Sports and Entertainment has always been skittish to talk about the people inside the suits of Rapid Man, Bernie, Wooly, Gunnersaurus and Rocky, and so they failed to reveal publicly — despite its being quite the lovely public relations layup of a story — that Solomon had handed off the large paws of Rocky to his real-life son, Drake Solomon. Drake had worked for the Nuggets as an entertainer who dunked from a trampoline during breaks in play. Westword broke the news of the Rocky switch in November 2021.
However, the story of Kenn Solomon didn't end there. With eight more lives remaining, he couldn't sit still.
Now, Kenn can be spotted in Ball Arena at Nuggets games, but not in the Rocky suit (which, by the way, is 5'10" with a tail length of three feet). The OG Rocky and the real-life father of the man currently gracing the Rocky suit is now serving as an omnipresent assistant to the mascot during Nuggets games.
Neither Kroenke Sports and Entertainment nor Kenn Solomon returned requests for comment on this story.
But on the night of January 9, when the Nuggets easily beat a Los Angeles Lakers team that was without both LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the story was easy to see: The Solomon family patriarch greeted fans sitting in seats both courtside and also near the tunnel where Rocky comes out during intermissions. He wore a headset just like the one that his other son, Cade, wears as Rocky's chief handler during games. Meanwhile, Kenn's third son, Garrett, has been working as Hooper, the mascot for the Detroit Pistons.
It's definitely a family affair.
During the game between the Nuggets and the Lakers, Kenn took on a similar role to Cade's, helping Rocky navigate the floor and participate in various stunts. For example, both Kenn and Cade helped guide an inflatable tower with Rocky hidden inside to half-court. As soon as the tower inflated, Rocky burst out.
Sporting a purple-dyed soul patch, Kenn was also there right next to Rocky as he attempted to drain a backward half-court shot during the fourth quarter of the game. Like a coach teaching a player how to perfect a jump shot, Kenn was either providing verbal guidance to Rocky or, at the very least, serving as a calming presence. Sadly, though, Rocky didn't end up hitting the half-court shot that night.
But although the mascot is not as good — yet— at nailing the shot as Dad was, Rocky appears to be improving over the course of this season. And Nuggets fans surely want to see their mountain lion cub continue to improve, since it's going to be a long season. After all, the Nikola Jokic-led squad looks poised to make a run at an NBA championship.
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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.
It was no wonder: Kenn Solomon, the man inside the Rocky suit since 1990 — the year the mountain lion was born — and a 2008 Mascot Hall of Fame inductee, had retired, handing off Rocky's paws to his successor.
Rocky had been pushing himself to the limits with his intense performances and had neglected to properly hydrate and rest. This incident has sparked a discussion about the pressures faced by mascots in professional sports. While their job may seem fun and light-hearted, the reality is that they work tirelessly to entertain and engage the crowd during games. The physical demands of their performances are often underestimated, and it is crucial for mascots to prioritize their own health and well-being. The Denver Nuggets organization has since taken steps to ensure the well-being of their beloved mascot. Rocky now has a dedicated health and wellness team to provide support and guidance. They have implemented regular breaks and hydration schedules to prevent further incidents of exhaustion. This incident has served as a wake-up call not only for the Denver Nuggets organization but for sports organizations across the country. Mascots play a crucial role in the game-day experience, and it is essential that they are taken care of and provided with the necessary resources to perform at their best. The health and safety of mascots should always be a top priority..
Reviews for "Denver Nuggets Mascot's Heartwarming Proposal Takes Center Court"
1. Sarah - 1 star - I was truly disappointed with the "Denver Nuggets Mascot Swoons" performance. The whole act seemed forced and lacked any originality or excitement. The costumes were tacky and the movements were clumsy. I felt like I was watching an amateur performance rather than a professional one. Overall, I found it to be a waste of time and money.
2. Mark - 2 stars - As a long-time fan of the Denver Nuggets, I had high hopes for the "Denver Nuggets Mascot Swoons" show but was left underwhelmed. It felt like a desperate attempt to entertain the audience rather than a well-thought-out performance. The jokes were forced, and the interaction with the audience seemed disengaged. I expected more from the talented team behind the Denver Nuggets' mascot. Unfortunately, this show fell flat and didn't live up to my expectations.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I had such high expectations for the "Denver Nuggets Mascot Swoons," but sadly, it failed to deliver. The whole performance felt repetitive and lacked any real entertainment value. The dance routines were basic, and the mascot's antics were predictable. I found myself getting bored halfway through the show, and I couldn't wait for it to end. It's a shame because the Denver Nuggets have such a dedicated fan base, and this show simply didn't do justice to their reputation.