The belt curse is a superstitious belief that wearing a belt can bring bad luck or negative consequences. This belief varies across different cultures and regions of the world. In some cultures, it is believed that wearing a belt during childbirth can bring harm to the mother and child. It is thought that the belt can tighten around the waist and hinder the natural process of giving birth. This belief may have originated from the idea that belts restrict movement and can cause discomfort during labor. In certain regions, there is a belief that wearing a belt while sleeping can cause nightmares or restless sleep.
Utah Jazz Bear, Jon Absey, has been fired
According to Eric Woodyard of the Deseret News the Utah Jazz bear has been fired.
The man inside the iconic Utah Jazz Bear, Jon Absey, was fired earlier this week, according to a Deseret News source. There will be a Jazz Bear during tonight's home opener but it won't be Absey. Story coming soon.
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) October 19, 2018
The Jazz released a statement on the matter.
“Jazz Bear will continue to be one of the most iconic mascots in the NBA,” said Jazz spokesman Frank Zang. “Out of respect for his character, which is separate from any employee ever associated with it, we have never discussed his identity. We do not discuss individual personnel matters.”
Jon Absey, who’s name was revealed with the firing, had been performing as the Utah Jazz Bear since 1994.
The Jazz Bear has been a staple at Jazz Games and widely considered one of the best mascots in the league earning multiple awards. Though it will be the same costume, it will be interesting to see a new style of Jazz Bear starting this season.
In certain regions, there is a belief that wearing a belt while sleeping can cause nightmares or restless sleep. This superstition suggests that the belt acts as a boundary that traps negative energy or spirits, leading to disturbed sleep patterns. Therefore, some people choose to remove their belts before going to bed to avoid any potential negative consequences.
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Man behind Jazz Bear mask since 1994 let go by team
SALT LAKE CITY — The man who has portrayed the Utah Jazz Bear since 1994 has been let go by the team.
“The Jazz Bear will continue to be one of the most iconic mascots in the NBA,” Jazz spokesman Frank Zang wrote, in a statement. “Out of respect for its character, which is separate from any employee every associated with it, we have never discussed it’s identity. We do not discuss individual personnel matters.”
The team confirmed another performer wore the Jazz Bear costume for Friday night’s home opener against the Golden State Warriors.
Fans who attended the game said they were shocked and saddened by the sudden news, and that the Jazz Bear has served as an icon– thanks to the person behind the bear mask.
“He really knows how to wrap the audience in… hype them up or involve the crowd,” Jazz fan Brennen Creer said.
“He brings emotion to everybody, brings out our feelings of, ‘Wow! How cool!'” fan Joe Alexander said. “He’s a mascot that all of us feel is important and really good at what he’s doing.”
The Jazz Bear is best known for his wild stunts, silly string attacks and slam dunks. He can be seen riding a Harley around on the court, sliding down an entire section of stairs on a sled and performing handstands from the top of a tall ladder.
Outside of the court, the Jazz Bear makes appearances at community and charity events throughout the year.
According to the NBA, the Jazz Bear has given 15,000+ hours of community service and raised more than $1 million for over 300 charities since 1994.
The Bear’s taken home more than 40 awards, including eight mascot leadership awards. The NBA named the Jazz Bear as the 2018 Mascot of the Year— the third time the Bear’s won this honor.
“He’s an icon,” said fan Monte Bateman, before Friday’s game. “He’s the kind of thing where, anytime you’ve got a mascot– especially one that’s won some national recognition– You’ve got a certain amount of pride as a fan.”
Now fans are wondering how well the Jazz Bear will perform at future games.
“He’s got a tall, big pair of shoes to fill,” Bateman said.
“If they don’t do it the same way, it’s just like, epic fail,” Creer said.
“We’re used to the enthusiasm of the Bear… his spark,” Alexander said. “I hope the new bear will be able to keep that really heavy enthusiasm, however he does something. That’s important.”
Copyright 2024 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Man inside the iconic Utah Jazz Bear fired after 24 years
Bear goes bowling during a timeout as the Utah Jazz and the Perth Wildcats play in an exhibition basketball game at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
1 of 8Eagle Valley Elementary student Ben Bertosh is sprayed by Jazz Bear as part of UDOT’s Safe Routes Utah program in Eagle Mountain on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
2 of 8The Jazz Bear meets with referees Josh Tiven and Tyler Ford during the Utah Jazz’s 117-95 victory against the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday, April 5, 2018, at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City.
Jacob Wiegand, Deseret News
3 of 8The Jazz Bear sprays the crowd during the Utah Jazz’s 100-87 loss to the Houston Rockets in Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals at the Vivint Smart Home Arena on Sunday, May 6, 2018, in Salt Lake City.
Jacob Wiegand, Deseret News
4 of 8Jazz Bear hugs Crew Simpson, 10, at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 11, 2017.
Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
5 of 8The Jazz Bear holds up a sign for the crowd as the Utah Jazz and the Brooklyn Nets play at Vivint arena in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
6 of 8Utah Jazz Bear carries off a security member in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017. The Raptors won 109-100.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
7 of 8The Jazz Bear makes sure everyone gets safely across the crosswalk outside Muir Elementary School in Bountiful on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017. A group of parents, students and Bear walked to the school to encourage students to get in the habit of walking and biking safely.
Adam Fondren, Deseret News
8 of 8SALT LAKE CITY — As the Utah Jazz prepare to face the defending champion Golden State Warriors at Vivint Arena tonight, there will be a different man inside the iconic Jazz Bear mascot.
Longtime mascot Jon Absey was fired this week, according to a Deseret News source.
There will be a new face inside the mascot on a trial basis, but not Absey, after a rift with the staff, the source disclosed.
“Jazz Bear will continue to be one of the most iconic mascots in the NBA,” said Jazz spokesman Frank Zang. “Out of respect for his character, which is separate from any employee ever associated with it, we have never discussed his identity. We do not discuss individual personnel matters.”
Absey worked over 800 home games as the Jazz Bear since it was introduced in 1994.
He also anonymously appeared in a TV spot in which Zions Bank highlighted his two concussions, seven surgeries and 17 ligament tears.
In August, Jazz Bear was named the NBA’s Mascot of the Year for the third time since the league started handing out the honor in 2005. The Information Display and Entertainment Associated also honored the Jazz and Bear for the best in-arena mascot video in professional sports, where he engaged in a car derby with the Phoenix Suns Gorilla.
Jazz Bear was inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2006, was given the Mascot Leadership Award nine times and has helped raised more than $1 million for charitable causes, according to Jazz PR.
Deseret News attempts to reach Absey were unsuccessful.
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Furthermore, some people believe that wearing a belt while gambling brings bad luck. It is thought that the belt restricts the flow of luck or fortune, thus preventing the person from winning or having a successful gambling experience. This belief is particularly prevalent in certain Asian cultures where gambling superstitions are widely observed. In addition to these specific beliefs, the belt curse often encompasses a more general notion that wearing a belt can attract negativity or misfortune. This may stem from the idea that belts are associated with restraining or constraining, which is believed to hinder personal freedom or luck. Despite the varied beliefs around the belt curse, it is important to remember that they are rooted in superstition rather than factual evidence. People who believe in the belt curse often adhere to these beliefs out of tradition or cultural customs. It is ultimately up to each individual to decide whether or not they believe in such superstitions and to respect the beliefs of others..
Reviews for "The Belt Curse in Literature and Folklore: Exploring its Representation in Artistic Works"
1. Emma - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "The belt curse". The plot was too predictable and the characters felt one-dimensional. The whole concept of a cursed belt had potential, but it was executed poorly. The dialogue was forced and unnatural, which made it hard for me to connect with the characters. Overall, I found the book to be lackluster and I wouldn't recommend it.
2. James - 1/5 - "The belt curse" was a complete waste of time. The writing style was amateurish and the story was riddled with clichés. The characters were so uninteresting and flat that I couldn't bring myself to care about their struggles. The pacing was also off, with certain scenes dragging on for far too long. I had high hopes for this book, but it ended up being a huge letdown.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I couldn't find anything redeeming about "The belt curse". The plot was incredibly weak and filled with holes. The ending was so predictable that I saw it coming from miles away. The author attempted to create suspense, but it fell flat every time. The characters were forgettable, and I didn't feel any emotional connection to their journey. I regret picking up this book and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
4. John - 1/5 - "The belt curse" was the worst book I've read in a long time. The writing was uninspiring and lacked any depth. The author seemed to rely heavily on unnecessary descriptions that didn't add anything to the overall story. The plot was confusing and very poorly executed. I found myself skimming through pages just to get to the end and be done with it. Save yourself the trouble and skip this one.
5. Emily - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The belt curse", but it fell short in so many ways. The characters were underdeveloped and I couldn't connect with any of them. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making the conversations awkward and unconvincing. The pacing was also inconsistent, with moments of intense action followed by long periods of boredom. The concept of a cursed belt had potential, but this book failed to deliver on that promise. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.