The secret service made it clear to the New York Met’s mascot, Mr. Met, that they wouldn’t hesitate to take him down if he got too close to Bill Clinton back in 1997.
Since the mascot’s large head was too big to fit through the metal detector, an agent told him he was not allowed to go even close to the president.
AJ Mass, who wore the Mr. Met costume from 1994-97 recounted this tale in his new book “Yes, It’s Hot in Here — Adventures in the Weird, Wooly World of Sports Mascots.”
Mass said the secret service agent told him, “We have snipers all around the stadium, just in case something were to happen. Like I said, do whatever it is you normally do. But approach the President, and we go for the kill shot. Are we clear?”
Mass said he was scared, and disappointed since it was “the holy grail for all mascots — a photo op and meet and greet with a sitting President.”
Despite a fearing for his life at the time, Mass told the New York Daily News, “I’m glad people are digging the story. It wasn’t until I was done with the job that I had thoughts of writing it all down.”