A mascot headpiece is an essential element of any mascot costume, and when it comes to the iconic Jack in the Box character, the headpiece plays a crucial role in bringing the character to life. The Jack in the Box mascot headpiece is designed to represent the face of the character, with its trademark large round head, exaggerated features, and the iconic pointy hat. The headpiece is usually made of lightweight materials such as foam or fabric, making it comfortable for the wearer to wear for extended periods. One of the key features of the Jack in the Box mascot headpiece is its ability to convey the character's emotions and expressions. The headpiece is designed to allow the wearer's face to be visible through an opening, which is covered by a mesh or transparent material, ensuring good visibility while maintaining the illusion of the character's face. The expressions and emotions of the Jack in the Box character are depicted through the use of oversized eyes, wide smile, and a mischievous gleam.
The expressions and emotions of the Jack in the Box character are depicted through the use of oversized eyes, wide smile, and a mischievous gleam. To ensure the Jack in the Box mascot headpiece remains true to the character, it is essential to pay attention to the details. The headpiece should have the signature red hat with a yellow band and a bell at the end.
Gumbo rah-rah: How a St. Bernard dog became the New Orleans Saints mascot
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, is led onto the field before the team's first home game, against the Los Angeles Rams at Tulane Stadium, in 1967. (Robert Steiner/Times-Picayune file)
- Robert Steiner
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, investigates a photographer during a 1973 game against the Los Angeles Rams. (William Haber/Times-Picayune file)
- Wm. F. Haber
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, with trainer Larry Dale in 1985. (G.E. Arnold/Times-Picayune file)
- G.E. Arnold
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, takes the Superdome field in 1975. (Times-Picayune file)
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, in 1967. (J.N. Pitts/Times-Picayune file)
- J.N. Pitts
New Orleans Saints owner John Mecom, right, gets a close-up look at his team's newest acquisition -- Gumbo, the team's St. Bernard mascot - soon after it was presented to the team in 1967 by the Louisiana Restaurant Association. With Mecom are association president Joe Fine, left, and Philip Wetzel, who won a contest to name the dog. (Times-Picayune file)
- Picayune Staff Photo
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, is introduced to the hometown fans before the team's first-ever home game, at Tulane Stadium in 1967. (J.N. Pitts/Times-Picayune file)
- J.N. Pitts
Gumbo III, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, is wheeled onto the Superdome field in 1975. (Ronald LeBoeuf/Times-Picayune file)
- Picayune Staff Photo
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints St. Bernard mascot, looks on disapprovingly after WR Bob Newland let a possible touchdown pass from Archie Manning get away from him during a 1973 game against the Los Angeles Rams. (William Haber/Times-Picayune file)
- Wm. F. Haber
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, takes a breather in 1979. (Times-Picayune file)
- Picayune Staff Photo
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, is introduced to the hometown fans before the team's first-ever home game, at Tulane Stadium in 1967. (J.N. Pitts/Times-Picayune file)
- J.N. Pitts
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, hangs with the team's cheerleaders at Tulane Stadium in 1968. (Times-Picayune file)
- Picayune Staff Photo
Then just a puppy, Gumbo III, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, snoozes on the Superdome sideline in 1975. (Ronald LeBoeuf/Times-Picayune file)
Then just a puppy, Gumbo III, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, relaxes on the Superdome sideline in 1975. (Ronald LeBoeuf/Times-Picayune file)
- Ronald LeBoeuf
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, in 1974. (Times-Picayune file)
- Wm. F. Haber
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints St. Bernard mascot, is serenaded by local jazz icon and team minority owner Al Hirt in 1967, on the day Gumbo was given to the team by the Louisiana Restaurant Association.(Times-Picayune file)
- Picayune Staff Photo
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints St. Bernard mascot, eyeballs the Lions mascot on the sidelines of the Superdome in 1976. (Ronald LaBeouf/Times-Picayune file)
- Ronald LeBoeuf
New Orleans Saints mascot Gumbo watches from the sidelines in the team's December 1974 game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The game was the Saints' last home game at Tulane Stadium before their move to the Louisiana Superdome in 1975. (Robert T. Steiner/Times-Picayune file image)
- Robert T. Steiner
As the New Orleans Saints prepare to kick off their 50 th season, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune will commemorate the anniversary with a comprehensive series on the history of the team. We'll document the highs and lows and introduce you to the colorful characters that made the Saints one of the most distinct and popular franchises in pro sports.
Even at the time, it made little sense to most people when the Louisiana Restaurant Association in 1967 gifted the then-fledgling New Orleans Saints with a St. Bernard dog to serve as the team's mascot. Granted, the breed had the word "saint" in its name, and the gift was said to be an homage to New Orleans' neighboring St. Bernard Parish, but other than that, any connections seemed pretty thin.
Only in retrospect did the gift of Gumbo, as the pooch was named, reveal itself as a perfect fit. After all, St. Bernards are used as Alpine rescue dogs. And if anybody needed rescuing over the first 40-plus years of the team's 50 years in existence - not to mention a nip from that barrel of brandy traditionally tied around the necks of that particular breed -- it was the Saints and their loyal but beleaguered fans.
Granted an oversized, sleepy-looking galoot of a dog can't be expected to strike much fear into the hearts of opposing teams the way, say, Mike the Tiger used to back when he was trotted out regularly at LSU home games. But at least the undeniably adorable Gumbo took fans' minds off the games from time to time during those win-starved early years. That, when you think about it, was its own form of rescue.
Gumbo officially joined the Saints family on Sept. 12, 1967, a gift of the Restaurant Association during a team luncheon at the Jung Hotel. Along with the team's players and coaches, minority owner Al Hirt was there, trumpet in hand, to give Gumbo a New Orleans welcome. (The selection: "When the Saints Go Marching In," naturally.)
Five days later, the 6-month-old, 75-pound Gumbo was introduced to the 80,000-plus fans in attendance at the Saints' first-ever home game, against the Los Angeles Rams at Tulane Stadium. " 'Gumbo' seemed unperturbed by the rousing applause he received," read a story in the next day's Times-Picayune about the dog's pre-game introduction.
The Saints would lose that game 27-13. They'd lose a lot more in the years to come. And, for the past 50 years - that's 213 in dog years -- Gumbo has been there to witness it all, at least for the team's home games.
Or at least one Gumbo or another was. Over the years, no fewer than five dogs have served as the team's St. Bernard mascot, all but one cared for by trainer Arthur Dale and his family. (Not counting the costumed human that currently does the duty.)
The first Gumbo has the distinction of being the only of the five to record a tackle - albeit an out-of-bounds one. In a 1970 game home game pitting the Saints and the Denver Broncos, Denver wideout Billy Van Heusen hauled in an 11-yard pass, only to trip over Gumbo on the sideline. Adding insult to injury, Gumbo's team was the recipient of a flag for unnecessary roughness, as a referee apparently thought Saints defensive back Major Hazelton pushed Van Heusen.
The original Gumbo went missing unceremoniously around 1970, leaving Gumbo II to take over the duties. He was introduced to fans in 1972 in what was described in The Times-Picayune as the team's first nationally televised game, against the Kansas City Chiefs. (Again, a loss for the Saints.)
Gumbo II was also the dog on duty when Times-Picayune sportswriter Larry McMillan used him as a satirical source for inside information on the Saints in a 1972 column. "I have had the job for only a year," McMillen quoted Gumbo as saying. "The other Gumbo couldn't take the, er, pressure and retired."
In March 1975, Gumbo II passed away at just 2 1/2 years old from what was described as a stomach ailment, making the way for Gumbo III - then just a puppy, wheeled around the Superdome sideline in a wagon -- and, by 1985, Gumbo IV. Both were treated like local celebrities.
"Gumbo IV is a 3-year-old, 150-pound St. Bernard who likes ice cream, steak bones and kicker Morten Andersen - and anyone else who gives her a little attention, says her trainer, Larry Dale," read a 1985 profile in The Times-Picayune. ". Gumbo has mastered the art of sitting by the table and hoping for handouts - even though she gets two cans of dog food per meal. Dale says restaurateurs have begun to recognize him and give him bags of bones to take home to Gumbo."
Then just a puppy, Gumbo III, the New Orleans Saints' St. Bernard mascot, snoozes on the Superdome sideline in 1975. (Ronald LeBoeuf/Times-Picayune file)
The face features should be exaggerated, with a large mouth and eyes that really stand out. In addition to the design, the Jack in the Box mascot headpiece should also be comfortable to wear. The interior of the headpiece should be lined with soft materials and have proper ventilation to ensure the wearer stays cool and comfortable during performances or events. It is also important to consider the weight and balance of the headpiece to prevent any strain or discomfort on the wearer's neck and shoulders. Overall, the Jack in the Box mascot headpiece is not just a prop, but an integral part of bringing the character to life. It is designed to convey the character's expressions and emotions, while also being comfortable for the wearer to use. The attention to detail in the design, comfort, and functionality of the headpiece is what makes it an essential element in creating a memorable and effective mascot portrayal of Jack in the Box..
Reviews for "From Concept to Reality: Bringing Jack in the Box's Mascot Headpieces to Life"
1. Sarah - 2 stars
I purchased the mascot headpiece for Jack in the Box for a school event, and I was highly disappointed with the quality. The material used felt cheap and flimsy, and it didn't hold its shape very well. The headpiece was also quite heavy, making it uncomfortable to wear for an extended period of time. Additionally, the design of the headpiece was not accurate to the Jack in the Box mascot, which was quite disappointing. Overall, I would not recommend this product.
2. Michael - 1 star
I ordered the mascot headpiece for Jack in the Box with high hopes, but it turned out to be a complete disappointment. The headpiece arrived with several visible flaws, such as loose threads and uneven stitching. The fit was also poor, with the headpiece being too loose and constantly sliding off. To make matters worse, the headpiece smelled strongly of chemicals, making it unbearable to wear. The lack of attention to detail and quality control in this product is extremely disheartening. Save your money and avoid purchasing this mascot headpiece.
3. Emily - 2 stars
I had purchased the mascot headpiece for Jack in the Box for a themed party, and it left much to be desired. The headpiece was poorly constructed, with visible glue marks and crooked seams. The quality of the materials used was subpar, and the headpiece did not provide enough ventilation, causing discomfort and sweatiness. Furthermore, the headpiece did not fit securely, constantly slipping out of place despite adjustments. Overall, I was disappointed with the lack of craftsmanship and functionality of this product. I do not recommend it.