PHOENIX — While many people are celebrating NCAA sports during Final Four weekend, folks in the Valley have another very important event to cheer for: the Phoenix Suns' mascot, the gorilla, is celebrating his birthday.
The gorilla mascot is iconic, spanning two arenas and multiple decades, but many new to Phoenix may not know the story behind the fan-favorite ape. In honor of his birthday, here's look a look at how this beloved mascot came to be.
The Phoenix Suns gorilla first came on the court in the winter of 1980, according to the NBA website. A messenger for Eastern Onion, a singing telegram service, came to the coliseum for a home game dressed as a gorilla.
After the game, the security suggested he dance a bit underneath a basket during a timeout. Fans loved the act and in truth, so did the messenger, Henry Rojas. Otherwise known as "the OG."
“Yeah, I was the OG," Rojas told 12News back in 2017.
And by "OG," Rojas means "Original Gorilla."
Rojas, a Maryvale native, said he was nervous and slightly embarrassed as he sat outside the arena in his beat-up car. However, once he got inside, he found himself rooting for his home team like usual and dancing to music throughout the game.
Fans continued to hire him to come back in the gorilla suit following that first appearance, Rojas said. Suns management had even extended him an offer to make his relationship with the team official by the end of the season, calling him the missing link.
Rojas never expected the gorilla to stick. But now, decades and two gorillas later, the legendary mascot is as big a part as ever of a Suns game.
While Rojas has passed off the suit to others, his love for the Suns remains.
Rally the Valley for a big happy birthday to the "Gorilla!"
Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to five major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks and NHL's Arizona Coyotes.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale. The Coyotes play at Mullett Arena on ASU's Tempe campus.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events on a yearly basis, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.
Sports
Watch more of the latest sports videos on the 12News YouTube channel. Don’t forget to subscribe!
