A Friendship Beyond the Mask
Published on May 18, 2012 under Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
NEW ORLEANS (May 18, 2012) - Entertainment is the name of the game when the New Orleans VooDoo take the field in The Graveyard. As with many sports organizations, fans need look no further than two of their very own for just that. The popularity of VooDoo mascots Bones and Mojo is undeniable - adults and kids alike flock to the pair as they make their way around the arena during games and they are two of the most sought after for pictures and autographs.
VooDoo games are not the only time to catch a glimpse of Bones and Mojo. They can often be found engaging our loyal fans at other official team gatherings including charity events, parades, and fan fests to name a few. Working together to entertain the fans at so many events, there must be a certain level of trust and chemistry between them. Something many fans don't know is that the men behind the masks, Joe and Randy, have formed that chemistry through a friendship they have had since childhood.
Mojo, or Randy as he is known in everyday life, said that the friendship even predates their birth, "Our parents were friends during maternity checkups so it's almost like this was destiny." What's more, they were born only five minutes apart!
The lifelong friendship really began to develop when Joe and Randy started playing sports on the playground several years later. "We played against each other and Joe was so good at first base that he would never miss a ball," explained Randy. "From then on our parents made sure we played together." The pair continued this tradition growing up in Kenner, Louisiana, and they maintained it throughout middle and high school on various sports teams.
The VooDoo staff looked far and wide to find the right person to step in as the first the team's mascots. "My older brother was approached in a restaurant due to his physique and asked to become Bones," said Joe of the mascot's origins. He continued, "Eventually, it was time for him to hang up the costume and he wanted to pass it along to me, so I accepted and the rest is history."
When the opportunity arose for a second team mascot to accompany Bones to VooDoo events, Joe had only one person in mind: "I immediately suggested Randy; we thought it would be a lot fun to do this job together!"
Randy came into the VooDoo office for his tryout and passed with flying colors. "I actually wanted to be Mojo so bad that I fabricated the story about being a high school mascot," he claimed, "none of that was actually true." He then proceeded to don the Mojo attire for the first time and danced around in the office window to draw a crowd.
"People were stopping to look, pointing, and laughing.everyone in the office thought it was great too. That was when I saw how much fun I'd have and really committed."
Since that day, Mojo and Bones have grown to be two of the most recognizable faces for the VooDoo and ones that fan always love to see. "The fans are so great," Joe and Randy said of the VooDoo faithful, "New Orleans is a great sports town with a loyal fan base. We wouldn't want to be doing this anywhere else." When asked about their favorite part, the dynamic duo were quick to respond: "The kids without a doubt.they run up and want to take pictures and give us hugs.bringing a smile to their face brings one to ours."
Joe and Randy also have a friendly competition going on during games. "We don't really have any rituals other than 'fighting' during the games just to get the fans excited," Randy explained. He continued with a chuckle, "Of course, Mojo always wins." Joe's response: "He would say that.we'll see."
When they are not entertaining crowds as Bones and Mojo, the two friends pursue their separate interests. Joe works as on a tug boat and is seeking to obtain his captain's license while Randy works full time with an emergency medical services unit while also attending paramedic school; Randy hopes to work for the fire department in the future. They have maintained their friendship since their days on the playground and are now roommates.
Their time as VooDoo mascots is not yet at an end though. Randy said of retiring from the costumes, "Not just yet.I think we'll both do it as long as we can because we truly enjoy it." He added, "It would be nice to be there for the team's first ArenaBowl."
Fans can next catch Bones and Mojo on Friday, May 18, when the VooDoo return to The Graveyard to take on their division rival the Orlando Predators.
Arena Football League Stories from May 18, 2012
- VooDoo Overcome 20-Point Deficit, Win Third Straight at Home - New Orleans VooDoo
- Predators Fall to 1-8 After Loss to New Orleans VooDoo, 68-61 - Orlando Predators
- Milwaukee Falls on 36-Yard Field Goal with Two Seconds Remaining - Milwaukee Mustangs
- Georgia Force Fight off Early Surge by Milwaukee Mustangs, Win 58-55 - Georgia Force
- Sharks Set to Battle Barnstormers - Jacksonville Sharks
- AFL Hall of Fame Advisory Board Announced - AFL
- Drone Named Week 11 National Guard Community MVP - AFL
- A Friendship Beyond the Mask - New Orleans VooDoo
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