Hugo (mascot)

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Hugo is the mascot of the New Orleans Hornets. He originated in Charlotte, North Carolina, when the team played there. He was named after Hurricane Hugo, a powerful storm that devastated the Carolinas in 1989. Hugo the Hornet was created in 1991, two years after the storm.

During the break between the first and second quarters in Game 1 of the 2008 Western Conference Playoff series between the Hornets and the San Antonio Spurs, Hugo jumped off of a trampoline, through a ring of fire, and dunked a basketball. Afterwards, the New Orleans Arena crew responsible for cleaning up after the stunt used the wrong fire extinguisher and could not put out the fire. Eventually the arena filled with smoke, and the floor became covered with slippery chemicals which proved difficult to remove from the playing surface. It took a 19-minute delay to finally make the arena floor suitable for play again; NBA Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Stu Jackson canceled the halftime show in response. Later, Jackson would fine the Hornets organization for the mishap. During the halftime show, Charles Barkley dared Hugo to do the act after the 3rd quarter. Calling him gutless if he did not do it. Barkley continued calling out Hugo throughout the night and in the next game.