Crazy Ray
Encyclopedia
Crazy Ray (January 22, 1931-March 17, 2007) was the unofficial mascot
of the Dallas Cowboys
. By some accounts, he was also the team's original mascot, who attended almost every home game since the team's inception.
.
He was never officially employed by the Cowboys, but was given a Special Parking Pass and All-access for home games. He was also known as the "Whistling Vendor" at Dallas Tornado
soccer games and Texas Rangers
baseball games. He could be seen at the State Fair of Texas and various concerts entertaining the public.
Crazy Ray also had a special friendship with rival Zema Williams (i.e. *Chief Zee
), the Washington Redskins
' unofficial mascot. In some photographed pictures, Crazy Ray and Chief Zee
were seen pretending to fight with each other during games.
Ray died on March 17, 2007 from heart disease
and diabetes, aged 76, in Dallas
. He missed only three games in 46 seasons.
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
of the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
. By some accounts, he was also the team's original mascot, who attended almost every home game since the team's inception.
History
He started selling pennants at games in 1962 and quickly endeared himself to the Cowboys fans with his western outfits, magic tricks, trademark whistle, and galloping along with a hobby horseHobby horse
The term hobby horse is used, principally by folklorists, to refer to the costumed characters that feature in some traditional seasonal customs, processions and similar observances around the world. They are particularly associated with May Day celebrations, Mummers Plays and the Morris dance in...
.
He was never officially employed by the Cowboys, but was given a Special Parking Pass and All-access for home games. He was also known as the "Whistling Vendor" at Dallas Tornado
Dallas Tornado
Dallas Tornado were a soccer team based in Dallas that played in the NASL. They played from 1967 to 1981. Their home fields were Cotton Bowl , P.C. Cobb Stadium , Franklin Field , Texas Stadium and Ownby Stadium on the SMU campus...
soccer games and Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
baseball games. He could be seen at the State Fair of Texas and various concerts entertaining the public.
Crazy Ray also had a special friendship with rival Zema Williams (i.e. *Chief Zee
Chief Zee
Chief Zee, real name Zema Williams, is a well-known fan and unofficial mascot of the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. Dressed in a faux American Indian headdress, rimmed glasses, and a red jacket, Chief Zee has been attending Redskins games since 1978...
), the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
' unofficial mascot. In some photographed pictures, Crazy Ray and Chief Zee
Chief Zee
Chief Zee, real name Zema Williams, is a well-known fan and unofficial mascot of the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. Dressed in a faux American Indian headdress, rimmed glasses, and a red jacket, Chief Zee has been attending Redskins games since 1978...
were seen pretending to fight with each other during games.
Ray died on March 17, 2007 from heart disease
Heart disease
Heart disease, cardiac disease or cardiopathy is an umbrella term for a variety of diseases affecting the heart. , it is the leading cause of death in the United States, England, Canada and Wales, accounting for 25.4% of the total deaths in the United States.-Types:-Coronary heart disease:Coronary...
and diabetes, aged 76, in Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
. He missed only three games in 46 seasons.
Honors
- Crazy Ray has a place in the Visa Hall of Fans Exhibit at the Pro Football Hall of FamePro Football Hall of FameThe Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
as he was selected as the fan choice for the Dallas Cowboys.
External links
- http://cbs11tv.com/topstories/local_story_076152226.html
- http://www.dallasobserver.com/Issues/2006-01-12/news/whitt.html
- http://www.savecrazyray.com/
- http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/091406dnmetcrazyray.8fb291f.html
- http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/DAL/10066845