Who is the man behind Rocky the Nuggets mascot? Rocky the Nuggets mascot is a beloved figure in the world of professional basketball. He has been entertaining fans for over 20 years with his high-energy performances and crazy antics. But who is the man behind the mask? His name is Cody Renfro, and he is the person responsible for bringing Rocky to life. Renfro has been the mascot coordinator for the Denver Nuggets since 1994 and has been wearing the Rocky costume ever since. Renfro is a former high school and college mascot, which helped him develop the skills necessary to be successful in the role of Rocky. He knows how to interact with the crowd, create memorable moments, and keep the energy level high throughout the game.
Rocky goes rogue: Denver Nuggets mascot in trouble after appearing at GOP rally
Rocky, the Denver Nuggets mascot, has one job — to cheer on Colorado’s NBA team. But that doesn’t seem to be enough for the enthusiastic mountain lion because, or maybe he was just bored in the offseason. In any case, Rocky showed up unbeknownst to the Nuggets at a rally for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Beauprez and got himself in trouble. Per the Denver Post:
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Nuggets marketing manager Graham Wincott, who handles Rocky and his appearances, said the team’s mascot showing up at the GOP event was “an unsanctioned, unpaid appearance that we had no knowledge of.”
Evidence of Rocky’s appearance surfaced online Monday in a now-deleted tweet from the Colorado GOP’s account. It showed Rocky posing with some of the rally’s attendants at Littleton’s Heritage High. Other high-profile rally goers included Republican Senate candidate Rep. Cory Gardner and 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.
Nuggets' mascot Rocky appears at Colorado GOP rally; team says appearance was 'unsanctioned' http://t.co/jKMIpiSLfM pic.twitter.com/f5J8sa7qBm
— Denver7 News (@DenverChannel) October 1, 2014
So, why exactly was Rocky there?
That’s what Kroenke Sports Enterprises, the company that manages Rocky, met with Ken Solomon, the actor who plays the mascot, on Tuesday “to get to the bottom of how all this occurred,” the Denver Post reports. The company also said the matter will be dealt with “internally.”
Advertisement“As a sports team, we want to be apolitical,” KSE marketing manager Graham Wincott told the Denver Post. “Two things we never touch on are politics and religion.”
Colorado Republican Party chairman Ryan Call, however, believes that Rocky the mascot has inalienable rights, and that just because Rocky is Republican doesn’t mean the rest of the Nuggets organization is. Call explained in an email to The Denver Post:
“I was surprised and pleased to see Rocky before the rally yesterday, and understand he was there at the invitation and as a guest of a long-time supporter of Mitt Romney and Bob Beauprez. Although he did not play a role in the formal program, it was terrific to see him interacting with Nuggets fans and putting smiles on the faces of people in the gathering crowd before the rally started. I’m sure everyone understands that his appearance in no way implies an endorsement by the Denver Nuggets of any candidate or party. Nuggets fans also understand that even Rocky has First Amendment rights and the Colorado Republican Party stands with him.”
Meanwhile, the public took the opportunity to crack some jokes at the expense of many, including Rocky, the Nuggets, the Republicans and the Democrats. Here are a few.
Rocky isn't that mad at Westbrook for blocking his shot and denying Nuggets fans free queso. Viewed it as "another handout by the Dems."
— Nate Kreckman (@NateKreckman) October 1, 2014
Rocky flies down zip line @ Pepsi Center. Takes off his head to reveal: Bob Beauprez who promptly takes away the female fans right to choose
— Denver Sports Atheist™ (@JohnReidy303) October 1, 2014
The Colorado Rapids mascot is definitely a Democrat.
— Marcelo Duran (@guyincognito) October 1, 2014
Charles Barkley reignites hilarious rivalry with Denver Nuggets mascot after years of beef from his Suns and Rockets playing days
Charles Barkley's reignited his rivalry with Rocky during Game 2 of the NBA Finals, after repeatedly clashing with the Denver Nuggets mascot in the '90s, as a player for the Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets. On Sunday night, the TNT analyst and highest-paid mascot in the NBA ($625k) met on the court of Ball Arena to try to end their long-standing feud. Barkley gifted his No. 34 Suns jersey, while Rocky offered the ex-forward his retro jacket from the '90s. The pair seemingly buried their decades-long hatchet when they shook hands, but things took a twist just moments later, when Denver's mascot unexpectedly blinded Chuck by throwing both shirts items back at him before landing a sucker punch and running away.
After the hit, Barkley stood in shock with his hand on his chest. His fair share of fights with mascots is nothing new, dating back from the almost 33 years ago and one of his favorites foes was the Nuggets' mountain lion, who's been a part of the organization since 1990.
'Sir Charles' is seen approaching Rocky prior to the start of a regular-season game from his time on the Suns, after the latter called him a chicken through a drawing he made himself. Barkley greeted the mascot before smacking his nemesis off its stilts before rejoining his teammates. In another resurfaced clip from the '90s, the 60-year-old goes over to say hello to the Nuggets' mountain lion during a timeout, before swinging a fist at it. In his last four years in the NBA as a Rockets player (1996-2000), the 'Round Mound of Rebound' walks up to Rocky, pushing the mascot onto a mat before punching it from behind. He even grabs the mountain lion and stomps on it before a referee acts as a peacemaker between the two.
Barkley and Rocky buried the hatchet by swapping jerseys during halftime of Sunday's Game 2In another bust-up, Rocky squares up to the 11-time All-Star while wearing a boxing glove on his right hand, hiding it behind his back before landing a punch on the 1993 league MVP. Barkley is currently part of the NBA TV crew that's covering the NBA Finals. Rocky, on the other hand, is finally making his NBA Finals debut with the Nuggets. Prior to Sunday's Game 2, Barkley jokingly took hits from an oxygen mask that he brought on set, making fun of Denver's high altitude at 5,280 feet above sea level. The Nuggets have been using the lung-searing elevation to their advantage for years - especially during these playoffs - though it didn't work in their latest game against the Heat, to who they lost to, 111-108.
What is Rocky the Mountain Lion’s Salary?
Mascots play an integral role in providing motivation for a franchise and its supporters. They are there to entertain the crowd and keep the energy high at all times. Fun activities, stunts, comedy acts, skits are some of the things a mascot delivers on every game night. They are mostly present during the home games and also take part in community events.
Rocky the Mountain Lion has been the official mascot of the Denver Nuggets since 1990, and is known for his backwards half-court shot during Nuggets’ home games.
Rocky the Mountain Lion stands at 5 ft 10 inches tall and weighs 154 lbs. The inspiration behind the character came from a Puma, a species of the cat family, found in the foothills outside Denver, Colorado. Rocky is famous amongst the NBA fanatics for his sense of humour and acrobatic performances.
Contents- Rocky the Mountain Lion Salary
- FAQs
He knows how to interact with the crowd, create memorable moments, and keep the energy level high throughout the game. But being Rocky isn't just about performing during games. Renfro also spends a significant amount of time preparing for each game.
Rocky the Mountain Lion Salary
According to online sources. Rocky the Mountain Lion has an annual salary of $625,000, making him the league's highest paid mascot. On an average, NBA mascots earn between $50,000 - $100,000 per annum. Rocky makes almost six times more than an average league mascot.
After Rocky the Mountain Lion’s salary was made public, several WNBA stars raised an issue about the pay difference on social media. They were not happy to learn that the mascots in the NBA earn more than players in the WNBA.
Renowned actor Ken Solomon was the first person to perform as Rocky. Solomon debuted as Rocky in December 1990, and was the mascot for almost three decades. According to recent reports, Solomon has now retired and has passed on the role to his son Drake.
Rocky has performed insane stunts over the years and has proven to be one of the most athletic mascots in NBA history. He is the only mascot to ever represent the Denver Nuggets and has risen to popularity quickly. Lastly, NBA games would not be half as fun without mascots like Rocky, who go above and beyond to keep us entertained.
He practices his routines, works on new tricks and stunts, and even attends mascot conferences to learn from other professionals in the field. Renfro's dedication to his craft has not gone unnoticed. He has won numerous awards for his performances, including being named the NBA Mascot of the Year in 2019. His ability to connect with fans and create memorable experiences has made him one of the most respected and admired mascots in professional sports. But Renfro is not just a mascot. He is also a father and a husband. In his personal life, he is known for his love of family and his commitment to making a positive impact in his community. He often volunteers his time at local events and charities, using his platform as Rocky to bring joy to those who need it most. So, the next time you see Rocky entertaining the crowd at a Denver Nuggets game, remember that there is a man behind the mask. Cody Renfro has dedicated his life to bringing joy and excitement to fans, and his hard work and passion are evident in every performance. Rocky the Nuggets mascot wouldn't be the same without him..
Reviews for "The Heart and Soul of the Nuggets: The Man behind the Lovable Rocky Mascot"
1. John - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "Who is the man behind Rocky the Nuggets mascot". The documentary lacked depth and substance. The interviews felt superficial and didn't provide any valuable insights into the person behind the mascot. It felt more like a promotional piece rather than a real exploration of the man's life and journey. I would not recommend wasting your time on this documentary.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Who is the man behind Rocky the Nuggets mascot" but it fell short of my expectations. The documentary lacked a cohesive narrative and felt disjointed. It jumped from one topic to another without providing enough context or analysis. Additionally, I found the pacing to be slow and monotonous. Overall, it left me feeling underwhelmed and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
3. Michael - 1 star - "Who is the man behind Rocky the Nuggets mascot" was a complete disappointment. The documentary failed to give any real insights into the life and experiences of the man behind the beloved mascot. Instead, it focused more on the history of the Nuggets and the team's success. I was hoping for a more personal and intimate look at the person behind the costume, but this documentary missed the mark entirely. Save your time and skip this one.