Season 4, Episode 49 - Robert Boudwin

Our guest this week, Robert Boudwin, spent 21 NBA seasons in the "Clutch the Bear" costume serving as the Houston Rockets' mascot.

It took us about the length of an NBA TV timeout to discover why Boudwin was perfect for that role. With a mind that is constantly in motion and a gift for engaging with people, this is easily one of our favorite Conversations to date.

Beyond discussing his time as "Clutch the Bear" we also learn about how he helped launch the University of Delaware mascot "YoU Dee" the Blue Hen while a student there, how it was the university's president who encouraged him to drop out of school to pursue the Rockets' opportunity, and how he came to become a staunch advocate for organ donation.

(BTW, both Clutch and YoUDee are members of the Mascot Hall of Fame thanks Robert's early efforts!)

Robert's also a published author several times over, but it's his latest work, The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man: Mascots, Marathons, and Mayhem - Twins, Transplants, and Tattoos, that puts 51 of his favorite memories in one place and shares them with readers in a memoir adjacent compilation.

Great news! Robert has shared a signed copy with us and we're giving it to one lucky listener. To enter, simply follow this link and provide us with the information requested by midnight EDT, Monday, September 1.

Among the many topics Robert covers in his book is organ donation and how it's personally impacted him. During our Conversation he references the double-lung transplant his father received and the ability to meet the parents of his father's donor as well. This story, along with his running the Houston Half-Marathon in full Clutch costuyme, is detailed in this YouTube video.

To sign up to be an organ donor please visit Donate Life America and remember, please don't take your organs to heaven, heaven knows we need them here.

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