On Oct. 15, 1981, at a Major League Baseball playoff game between the Oakland A's and the New York Yankees, "Crazy" George Henderson invented the wave. If you don't believe him, just ask him - he has it on tape.
"It's my claim to fame," he said. "I was doing it in different forms for about three years before that and the first time I did the wave, it was sold out with 48,000 people."
Crazy George, clad in his cut-off jean shorts and red Cardinals' football jersey, has become a fan favorite at Ball State. He has become a staple at football games, as the 57-year old San Francisco native is known for banging his drum and leading crowds in cheer. On Wednesday night, Crazy George performed at his first men's college basketball game in 10 years.
It was during a football game when George was a student at San Jose State University that he first got crazy.
"Thirty-two years ago, a friend brought a drum and bugle to a game," he said. "I couldn't play the bugle, that takes talent. It's a great job; I have more fun than anyone."
Crazy George became a high school shop teacher after graduating, but his antics at football games had other sports teams interested in acquiring the services of the boisterous cheerleader. Crazy George has gone on to perform for the Houston Oilers, Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs and the New Orleans Saints.
Crazy George now travels all over the country working the home crowd at various sporting events. George said he works anywhere from 80 to 100 games a year and averages about two games a week.
During the last 26 years, he has done more than just scream and beat on his drum.
"(At a San Jose State football game) I hang-glided into the game and ran into the goal post," he said. "That was pretty bad."
Crazy George also tells a story of when he was working a Dallas Tornado soccer game. A lion was brought onto the field and it attacked a trainer while George was standing next to it.
When George isn't on the road traveling to his next game, he enjoys spending time on his house boat in San Francisco.
"I really don't have a hometown," he said. "It is really wherever I park my boat."
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