Sports Radio Interviews

The San Diego Chicken Retiring? Say It Ain’t So

We hear from multi-million dollar amazing athletes all the time here on Sports Radio Interviews. We hear from high profile coaches, the most successful and predatory agents in sports, the media members who are so pertinent to the making and breaking of celebrity, etc, etc, etc.

How often though do we hear from the legendary mascots of the sports world? Not too often. That’s probably not such a bad thing, mind you. But in the case of Ted Giannoulas, aka ‘The San Diego Chicken’ it’s not such a bad thing to take the time to get a chuckle while listening to one of the truly great entertainers in sports. He’s been so good for so long that he’s got his own Wikipedia page. Step off.

Take a look at what Mr. Giannoulas has been up to for the past three and a half decades with a simple exploration of the vast legion of YouTube videos devoted to the long time Padres and Chargers mascot.

On the (once again) circulating rumors that the best in the business is poised to retire soon:

“No, no just been thinking about it but you know, I’ve been thinking about it for the past 10 years. It’s just one of those things, you reflect. I’m not at the end of the road yet but I can see it from here…Sometimes you have to think, is it time to move on for other experiences in life? You just reflect on things after 35 years.”

On why exactly he’s gotten such a thrill from the gig this past 35 years:

“It’s a lot of fun. Tonight’s game is sold out. They’ve got 12,000 people, they’re giddy. Tomorrow night’s game in Dayton is sold out. They’re all excited, they’re bubbling at the seams. At Chattanooga, they’re sold out. They’ve got a crazy audience. It’s a lot of fun. You’ve got to see these people just go nuts. It’s a comedy show, I enjoy it. I’m telling you fellas, it’s a great country. I’m waddling around in a chicken suit and people are coming out of their homes, paying money and saying, “Let me see this guy!” It’s a lot of fun and I just think as much as I’ve enjoyed it for 35 years – and don’t forget fellas, there are TV shows that don’t even last 35 days – the fact that people are enjoying and having fun with it, it tickles me quiet honestly and I’m having fun with it. But, you know, you get to a point in your life where you just have to reflect and say, “Is it time to enjoy other life experiences?” What can I tell ya? It’s just nature.”

If he were to retire, could he really just walk away without teaching a young apprentice everything he’s learned over the years?

“I’ve thought about it, and if I could, I would try to teach 50 and send one to every state and sit back and collect royalties. But the same way that Michael Jordan couldn’t teach the Washington Wizards to get into the playoffs. It’s just not one of those things. I wish I could and who knows, maybe it’s conceivable and possible, I haven’t really tried. I always say the way there was only one Gretzky or one Ruth, maybe there’s only going to be one Chicken…I’m not trying to compare myself to some of the greats in sports, I’m just referring to myself in my own little department.”

Listen here to Ted Giannoulas aka The ‘San Diego Chicken’ on XX 1090 in San Diego

Tags: funniest mascots in sports, San Diego Padres, Ted Giannoulas, The San Diego Chicken, who's the best mascot in baseball, XX 1090