Don’t mess with Benny The Bull - Popcorn

Don’t mess with Benny The Bull Benny the Bull, commonly known as Benny, is the mascot of the Chicago Bulls, a role he has filled since more than 40 years, Benny the Bull has been entertaining Chicago Bulls fans, first at Chicago Stadium (1969--1994), and then at the United Center (1994--present). He has become just as popular as some of the franchise’s most notable figures, such as players Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, and head coach Phil Jackson. Benny is one of the longest-tenured mascots in the NBA and in all of professional sports. Benny was named after Ben Bentley, the Bulls first Public Relations Manager and Stadium July 2, 2006, Benny’s portrayer, Barry Anderson, was arrested by an off-duty police officer while performing at the “Taste of Chicago“ food festival. Dressed in the Benny the Bull costume, Anderson drove a miniature motorcycle through the festival, although he did not have a permit to do so. When the officer, who was providing security at the event, identified himself as a policeman and called on Anderson to stop, Anderson fled. The officer pursued on foot, and when he caught up with Anderson, Anderson allegedly attempted to punch him in the face, breaking the officer’s watch and knocking off his glasses. Anderson has subsequently claimed that the actions were performed in “character“, and that he did not intend to cause injury to the officer. He was arrested and charged with battery and driving within the parkway. After Anderson was arrested and charged, his costume was returned to the United Center.[3] The charges were later dropped after Anderson agreed to pay the cost to fix the officer’s glasses.