The position of a mascot demands courage. From executing difficult stunts to dealing with interactions with the public (especially fans who’ve had a bit too much to drink, and opposing fans), they are frequently put in tough situations, but Seattle Kraken mascot Buoy had a particularly dangerous encounter on a recent fishing expedition alongside forward John Hayden.
Just last week, Buoy’s official social media profile shared a video showcasing him fishing alongside Hayden, designed as a piece of lighthearted content for the fans during the offseason. However, it unexpectedly transformed into something akin to an episode of “Survival Mode.”
Buoy and Hayden, accompanied by the rest of the Kraken’s digital content production team, were patiently awaiting a fish to bite when they themselves almost ended up as the meal. A pair of bears, possibly visitors from Boston during the summer, emerged directly from the nearby woods and started chasing them in the water.
The bears approached uncomfortably close to Buoy, Hayden, and the Kraken staff, and one of the bears even initiated a charge toward the mascot. As a true mascot professional, Buoy remained composed, and the bears ultimately abandoned their pursuit, allowing everyone to escape unharmed.
In today’s digitally driven world, skepticism naturally arises regarding the authenticity of such incredible videos. However, CBS Sports has independently verified with the team that the bears (and the chase itself) were, in fact, genuine and unscripted.
The internet boasts an extensive collection of bizarre and comical mascot videos (we owe a great debt to Gritty for this), but very few can match the suspense and excitement of Buoy’s near-miss.
