12/21/24
March 18, 2007
Cowboy's "Crazy Ray" dies.: Super fan and team unofficial mascot Wilford "Crazy Ray" Jones has died.
I wonder what every happened to the Dancing Harry who use to dance at the Knicks games?
posted by Knuckles at 06:47 AM on March 18, 2007
I grew up a Redskin fan, and he was the only thing about the Cowboys I didn't despise. He just seemed like a good guy for some reason.
posted by Earthdog7 at 08:48 AM on March 18, 2007
In the 80's I went to a lot of Bears games and they had a guy by the name of Rocky leading cheers on the sidelines I remember one of his cheers was What's better than head the answer was Moorehead who was a tight end on the team I think he passed away too a number of years ago there is a place for these guys and they like doing it I'm sure he will be missed next season
posted by luther70 at 10:33 AM on March 18, 2007
Crazy Ray was amazing for many who grew up Cowboy fans in Dallas. You would also see him at the State Fair doing tricks for tips. He got my stepsister once in around '72 when he told her to grab a hot dog in a brown paper bag and as soon as she reached for it, he started barking like a dog. She was about 10 at the time and it scared the bejeezus out of her. The rest of us were laughing so hard we could hardly stand up. Thanks, Ray. You've left many people with priceless, indelible memories, and you won't be forgotten. There was a post in SpoFi with a donation link a year or so back asking members to help Crazy Ray and the financial trouble he was in. I hope he was able to live his last weeks and months without the pressures from creditors and utility companies. RIP
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 10:36 AM on March 18, 2007
Crazy Ray was a guy who started out shining shoes and became famous through a great sense of humor,love of children, showmanship and old fashioned chutzpah.The world needs more like him. He will definitely be missed here and far beyond.
posted by sickleguy at 10:53 AM on March 18, 2007
Growing up in Dallas, I thought Crazy Ray was as much a part of the Cowboys in the '70s and '80s as Landy, Staubach and Dorsett. It's a shame he had so many hard times in his life -- his only child was a drug addict who robbed her parents blind and later died of an overdose -- but at least the Save Crazy Ray effort gave people a chance to show their affection for him. I haven't been to a Cowboys game in years. For a while, some fan was trying to become the unofficial team mascot "Irving the Cowboy Ape."
posted by rcade at 12:07 PM on March 18, 2007
I lived in FT. Worth for about 3 years and even though I never went to a 'Boys game I did get to meet Ray on a few occasions under "Big Tex" at the fairgrounds/Cotton Bowl prior to several concerts (Stevie Ray, Marshal Tucker, Santana, The Who). In the early-mid 1980's. Ray was alwayas the consumate(sp) showman entertaining the folks in line to get in. Even offered him a ticket to see Santana which he promptly turned down saying "what can a guy with a guitar and microphone do that is more fun than what Im doing right now?" Amazeing man, awsome legacy, he will be missed by thousands or more. I am just grateful for the few moments I got to spend watching him weild his craft. May the gods bless and praise your short time here on our little rock in the vast expance we like to call outer space!! On edit: I was trying to rememder this lil song Ray would sing if anyone offered him an alchohalic beverage, it went something like this: Champain makes me dizzy, Whiskey makes me quizzy, Reffer only makes me cum, Vodka makes me sleazy, Wine makes me easy and tequila makes my clothes fall off. Hey Tequila Tequila Tequila makes my clothes fall off, and it aint a pretty site. only around adults im sure, I doubt he would sing it the kiddies
posted by Folkways at 12:33 PM on March 18, 2007
Say hello to Coach Tom Landry for me.
posted by Mustang 71 at 02:12 PM on March 18, 2007
ray will be missed he was the greatest east texan and the greatest cowboy fan ever
posted by byrdman822 at 02:54 PM on March 18, 2007
You know, he is the kind of sports fan that I would like to be, but I don't have that kind of charisma or access to games. Hats off to you, Crazy Ray. Sounds like you lived good life.
posted by Joey Michaels at 05:08 AM on March 19, 2007
I grew up a Cowboy's fan and can remember this guy patroling the sidelines and stands. Even after I stopped following the 'Boys due to that slug of an owner, I would still catch the occational game and Ray would always get his face on TV. It was always refreshing to see someone so dedicated to a team without being a trouble to those around him.