Hawks mascot grounded after unauthorized flight

[HMFFL]

Spirit the Hawk has been grounded.

The Hawks’ live mascot will no longer be allowed to fly during the player introductions before each game, according to a statement released by the team Thursday evening.

Spirit got loose at the start of the Hawks’ playoff game against Miami on Wednesday night at Philips Arena, causing all sorts of confusion and eventually a stoppage in play before his handler from Zoo Atlanta retrieved him early in the first quarter.

The hawk on the loose garnered national attention Thursday on news and sports shows, everything from NBC’s “The Today Show” to CNN and all of ESPN’s daily programs.

“Spirit the Hawk will no longer fly during player intros,” the statement read, “but he will be back for Wednesday’s Game 5 and be involved in our game night activities.”

The Hawks went on to lose Game 2 108-93 to the Heat. The series is tied at 1-1 with Game 3 on tap Saturday in Miami.

Link

[realfung]

blame game

[evildallas]

I hadn't posted because I never really cared for the Hawk flying down pre-game (didn't do anything for me). However I got to say that being canned after one incident is bit extreme. It isn't like the Hawk attached someone.