Rumble the Bison is the official mascot of the Oklahoma City Thunder. He is an anthropomorphic bison and his name derives from the sound that thunder makes. Rumble debuted on February 17, 2009 as part of the halftime show when the Thunder played against the New Orleans Hornets.[1]
On August 13, 2009, Rumble was awarded the NBA Mascot of the Year award at the NBA's annual mascot meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rumble received the award in recognition of representing the Thunder at various community events throughout the Oklahoma City region. Even though he had only served as the team's official mascot for 6 months at the time, the mascot program Rumble developed was regarded as one of the best in the NBA.[2]
From NBA.com[3]
For hundreds of years the tale has been told around Native American campfires. A great herd of American bison was lost in the Arbuckle Mountains during a ferocious storm - the kind only Oklahoma can produce.
Hail fell and tornadoes spun all around the herd as they stampeded, trying to find their way down to the safety of the plains.
One lone bison stayed behind as he helped each of his friends escape down a treacherous ravine; once all of his friends were safe he began his descent. only to find his way blocked by fallen boulders.
Lost, he climbed to the tallest peak; left to face the storm alone and searching for a way down the mountain, he was struck by a bolt of lightning.
The bolt did not destroy him, but, by the power of the god of thunder, changed him. Suddenly, he walked on two legs like a man. He possessed amazing strength and agility - he could jump higher, run faster, think more clearly than any beast.
But because he was no longer just a bison - and yet not a man - he was alone.
With many sightings, the legend grew through the years, of a mighty bison, with remarkable powers, roaming the hills alone.
Not until a group of men who carried similar powers came to Oklahoma City did he find somewhere he belonged. These men also possessed the power to jump higher, run faster, and perform acrobatic dunks more spectacular than anyone in the land. They too carried the roar of Thunder every time they took to the court.
So he joined their team. And the new legend of Rumble was born.