Chief Noc-A-Homa (Levi Walker Jr.) Dies

This post delves into the history of the Atlanta Braves mascot, Chief Noc-A-Homa, exploring its origins, evolution, and the controversies surrounding its portrayal. The mascot became an iconic symbol for the Braves but also raised questions about cultural sensitivity and appropriateness.

The mascot’s tradition started in 1964 while the franchise was in Milwaukee. The first recorded instance of the concept came when a 16-year-old high school student named Tim Rynders set up a tipi in the centerfield bleachers. He danced and ignited smoke bombs when the Braves scored. While the concept started in Milwaukee, there was no name associated with the mascot until the team moved to Atlanta. During the 1966 season, the Atlanta Braves held a contest to name their mascot.

Mary Truesdale, a Greenville, SC resident was one of three people who entered “Chief Noc-A-Homa” the winning name chosen and announced by the Braves on July 26, 1966. The first Chief Noc-A-Homa was portrayed by a Georgia State college student named Larry Hunn. During the 1968 season, after training from Hunn, Tim Minors took over as Noc-A-Homa. In 1968, Levi Walker Jr. approached the Braves about having a real Native American portray the chief.

Having grown weary of life as an insurance salesman, warehouse worker, and plumber, Walker was hired for the 1969 season. On May 26, 1969, Walker set his left field teepee on fire after lighting a smoke bomb celebrating a home run by Clete Boyer. He blamed sabotaged smoke bombs for the mishap. The name was intended to be a playful variation of “Knock a Homer.” The mascot’s job was to exit his teepee and perform a dance whenever a Braves player hit a home run.

In the late 1970s, when the previously mediocre Braves became contenders again, a peculiar superstition arose. When football season approached and the portable bleachers needed to be opened up for the Atlanta Falcons, the teepee was typically removed, and at that point, the Braves would typically start to lose.

Superstitious fans claimed that disrupting Noc-A-Homa’s home was the cause of their downturn, rather than the team just not having enough depth to sustain first place for the season. After this happened several years in a row, though, the story began to gain some currency.

The rumor reached its height in 1982 when the Braves were in first place with a seemingly insurmountable lead. Needing additional seating for sellouts, the Braves removed the teepee and sold tickets for the seats normally supporting it. The Braves promptly lost 19 of their next 21 games and fell to second place. When Braves management put the teepee back in place, the Braves went back to first place and ultimately won the Western division that year.

Late in Noc-A-Homa’s duration, Hopewell, Virginia native Kimberly Ann Calos was introduced as “Princess Win-A-Lotta”. The best-known Noc-A-Homa was Levi Walker, Jr., an Ottawa native and an Odawa Indian. In 1986, Walker and the Braves agreed to end their relationship due to disagreements about pay and missed dates.

Walker petitioned the club to revive his role during the Braves’ 1991 pennant run, but the Braves’ management declined. During the late 1970s, the Braves also had a green mascot called Bleacher Creature. Noc-a-Homa was eventually replaced as the mascot by the characters Homer and Rally.

Atlanta-based band Black Lips bassist Jared Swilley wrote a song titled “Noc-A-Homa” for their 2011 album Arabia Mountain. Levi Walker, Jr., died Friday afternoon, November 24, 2023, at age 80. He was a Native American, a Michigan native and member of the Odawa Tribe^[1].

He died after battling numerous health complications related to diabetes and long-term dialysis. His wife Teri Ficula and family were at his side. His contributions to the Braves, the city of Atlanta, and the world of baseball will not be forgotten. We celebrate his life, his legacy, and the joy he brought to countless fans over the years.