Monday 23 November 2015 16:04, UK
There are plenty of eccentric mascots in American sports, but how about one with a chainsaw?
Portland Timbers' Joey Webber AKA Timber Joey saws a slab of wood off a 12ft log every time the MLS club scores a goal at Providence Park. The slab is then passed around the stadium for fans to touch before it is presented to the goalscorer at the end of the match.
Timber Joey has evolved into a cult hero in and around Portland, but who is the man behind the helmet and safety glasses? Ahead of Portland's MLS western conference final second-leg against FC Dallas on Sunday night, Joey reveals all to Sky Sports.
How did you become a mascot for Portland Timbers?
It started in the late '70s when a man named Jim Serill [Timber Jim] decided to bring a chainsaw to a game. The front office was saying 'no way!' but eventually they allowed him to come in. At the time we were owned by a Timber company so they ended up setting out a big beam and he would cut slices off the beam every time we scored. He retired in 2008, and I was lucky enough to take it over!
What's your matchday routine?
We get here quite a bit earlier than most of the fans, and even the players, to take in the whole ambience of the stadium. We get together with a bunch of kids, we call them 'junior Joeys', and we parade the scarves out to our log, then we just go about the game.
I try to interact with every fan I can. In the quieter sections of the stadium I try to get them riled. And when we score I get to cut a log and carry it around the stadium for everybody to see and touch.
What do your family think of you being 'Timber Joey'?
They're very proud. My dad was a rugby coach at Oregon State for over 30 years and very into sports. I'm from a logging town so even the community I grew up with is really excited about it.
You entered forestry competitions when you were younger, did that help in becoming Timber Joey?
We had a small high school, probably about 400 students, and most of them, at least half of them, would go into the Timber industry so we had a complete school set up around forestry.
About half of our people who graduated high school went through our forestry programme, learning about natural resources and how to run chainsaws and logging operations, so it was kind of second nature when I moved up to Portland that I was able to grab a chainsaw and get involved.
Are there any health and safety issues as Timber Joey?
I definitely go through a lot of safety inspections on all my tools. I wear protective pants that have some Kevlar lining in them. As often as I can I wear safety glasses but sometimes I get too caught up in the moment [and don't wear them]. I wear earplugs as well.
Do you think there will always be a lumberjack as Portland Timbers' mascot?
I hope so. I think it's a really unique tradition. The fact that it's an unmasked character allows us to be able to talk to our fans and interact with them. I get to go out and teach kids how to read, promote brushing their teeth and being healthy. I think that's something special.
How do you get your chainsaw to the stadium?
During the season I usually keep two or three chainsaws here [in the stadium]. I also keep a lot at home because I get to cut timber on the side every once in a while, but I usually keep them here. I'm usually too busy in the season to bring them in and out during game days.
How many logs have you cut through since being the Portland Timbers mascot?
Probably around 30 or 40 - we usually go through four, five a year, sometimes six.
Scarves are placed on the log, how did that process begin?
During my first game we scored our first goal back in 2008 and somebody gave me a Timber scarf, it was one designed by the fans so I threw it around my neck. But it just got too hot so I set it on the log and from there fans, almost every game, throw down a scarf to have me put on the log. Throughout the last seven or eight years we have put over 200 scarfs on the log.
The Ring of Honour recognizes standout players and figures in the club's histor, do you aspire to be part of the circle?
That's a really special spot and some day when I'm gone if they decided they wanted to I'd be honoured but it's not a goal of mine. I think there are so many people involved with the Timbers that deserve recognition beyond me. I feel like I'm more of an ambassador and I would be honoured but it's not something I'm shooting for.
Have you ever missed a match?
It's my absolute biggest nightmare but no I've never missed one. I've had nightmares where I'd sleep in past the alarm but not even been close!
Portland facing FC Dallas in the conference finals - how will it go? Do you see the Timbers with a chance of winning MLS Cup?
I'm very hopeful that we do but it's going to be a battle all the way through. Our guys are playing great. This is the second time in three years that we've made it to the western conference finals and I think they have every bit as good a shot to get through as Dallas does.
I'm hopeful, but that's all I can do. The job's going to be done on the field, and we'll see what happens.
Watch the MLS conference finals second legs on Sunday night with New York Red Bulls v Columbus Crew at 10pm followed by FC Dallas v Portland Timbers on Sky Sports.
