USA TODAYUtah Jazz fire longtime employee who played team's Jazz Bear mascotUSA TODAYA new man will be donning the furry costume and entertaining Jazz fans at Utah's NBA home opener Friday night. Jon Absey has played Jazz Bear since the mascot's inception in 1994, but he was fired this week and is no longer with the organization, ...Man inside the iconic Jazz Bear fired by Utah Jazz after 24 yearsDeseret NewsReports: Jazz fire Bear performer after 24 seasonsKSL.comall 9 news articles »