1. Jazz Bear: Utah Jazz

And now, we get to the three-time Mascot of the Year. I could spend the remainder of this slide going through all the stunts that Jazz Bear has done since debuting in 1994, but that’s not what makes this bear stand out.

As we’ve found out throughout this list, sliding down arena stairways, jumping through rings of fire, and turning yourself into a human bowling ball is a prerequisite for most mascots, even the terrible ones. So, what makes this bear different from the bulls, dragons, birds, and wolves?

The answer doesn’t lie in the stunts he performs, but in his willingness to push the envelope with some of these stunts. This Deseret News profile on Jazz Bear puts it best:

You do know, perhaps even cheer or fear, how he makes a habit and a living out of jumping on a plastic sled and sliding face-first at scary speeds down steep stairs at EnergySolutions Arena. Over the years, you’ve also witnessed Bear launch his furry self through rings of fire to dunk basketballs, rappel from the rafters or do the splits (on purpose). You’ve watched him goof off with referees and players, spray funky materials on people, use opposing fans as skit props, land hard on his undercarriage, rev up his loud motorcycle, display much more athleticism in a 00 Jazz jersey than the only Utah player to wear that number (Greg Ostertag), and literally go to great heights to both entertain and freak out thousands of onlookers.

It’s this willingness to go above and beyond for the fans that has earned Jazz Bear those three Mascot of the Year awards (2006, 2008, 2018), a Mascot Hall of Fame nod in 2006 and his own day in commemoration of his 20th anniversary with the team in 2013.

With the man who portrayed Jazz Bear no longer with the team, here’s hoping that the new person inside the suit lives up to the lofty standards fans have grown accustomed to.