page_title: Benny the Bull
section_title: Current Benny
hierarchical_section_title: Benny the Bull / Current Benny
caption_attribution_description: English: w:Benny the Bull at a game between the w:2017–18 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team and the w:2017–18 Northwestern Wildcats men's basketball team at w:Allstate Arena
context_page_description: Benny the Bull, commonly known as Benny, is the mascot of the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls, a role he has filled since 1969.
context_section_description: In 2004, the current version of Benny The Bull was introduced. He has been acclaimed as one of the most popular mascots of all time, including being named the most popular mascot in sports by Forbes in 2013.
  The modern version of Benny is famous for his impressive dancing, aerobic flips and jumps, multiple dunking tricks, giant popcorn spilling, rappelling from the United Center rafters, shooting backwards halfcourt shots, banging on his drum, using multiple cans of silly string, interacting with crowds, instances of taunting opposing players (most notably his act of tearing off the pants of others' pre-game warm up outfits), driving his bike down stairs, throwing cakes, shooting T-shirts out of his "Bullzooka", and more. He usually performs trampoline dunks alongside his team "Benny and the Elevators" 
  His current "family" consists of two inflatable mascots named "Big Ben" and "Benji".
  (Benji has a similar appearance to "Lil' Benny", who used to appear alongside Benny on the court and in videos. Lil' Benny's overall design was based on the 1990s Benny).
  Benny's antics have gotten him worldwide attention and recognition. He's also been seen alongside multiple celebrities, from messing with Justin Bieber or performing the "Single Ladies" dance in front of Jay-Z 
  In addition to performing stunts and entertaining the crowd at Bulls games, Benny also makes public appearances around the Chicago area on behalf of the team. Benny made approximately 250 appearances per year. As a member of the Bulls' All-Star Reading Team, he appeared at schools to promote literacy and the importance of a good education. He could also be booked for private events. Benny had also worked as a mascot on individual dates for other professional sports franchises, such as the Billings Outlaws. He usually travels around in his van, 'Benny's Bull Ride™' and is almost always with his assistant, Todd Abbott.
  Barry Anderson, after 12 years of taking on the role of Benny, announced that he will be retiring on June 30, 2016, to take on other interests, although Benny won't disappear entirely.
   
  The Bulls redesigned the Benny character in 2004 just for him after his impressive talents were awarded twice in the Capital One Mascot Challenge for his previous role, Monte from the University of Montana.
caption: Benny the Bull in action in 2018
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