Blazers reporter terrified by terrifying mascot.jpg

CBS Sports reporter James Herbert perfectly captured the moment Portland Trail Blazers sideline reporter Brooke Olzendam was scared senseless by Pierre the Pelican.

(Twitter screenshot via James Herbert)

There's only one acceptable reaction to a creepy mascot approaching you from behind.

And Portland Trail Blazers courtside reporter Brooke Olzendam got it 100 percent right Tuesday evening when New Orleans' Pierre the Pelican inched a little too close during a live broadcast.

CBS Sports writer James Herbert caught the moment on Twitter. It all unfolds exactly as you'd expect:

imagine if this was king cake baby pic.twitter.com/7nDUbvaVCg — James Herbert (@outsidethenba) March 15, 2017

Creepy mascot mobs up on unsuspecting reporter. Said reporter is scared senseless. That sounds about right.

And if you're wondering what this "King Cake Baby" is that Herbert references, feast your eyes on this monstrosity:

Is it us? Are we just spoiled with perfectly non-threatening mascots? The worst thing Blaze the Trail Cat's done is play nice with his colleagues.

Oh my gosh it's Blaze the Trail Cat's birthday he invited all his friends to fill the empty seats pic.twitter.com/xUK6WbUNHS — Jeff Budke (@JeffBudke) March 5, 2017

Well, at least we don't have to worry about this happening during March Madness. No college would ever greenlight such a travesty of fur and felt. Then again ...

--Eder Campuzano | 503.221.4344

@edercampuzano

ecampuzano@oregonian.com