who plays sourdough sam

Its his tic. San Francisco 49ers | As we traveltowardthe field, we share our only verbal exchange of the day. Take a look at the latest stories and videos about the San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl 2020 here. SFist spoke with the man behind Sam's mask whose name is a carefully guarded secret, as well as 49ers Mascot Manager Constantine Abramson. 49ers get high marks for facilities, player treatment in NFLPA survey Sicknesses. 5 out of 5 stars (3) Sale Price $32.84 $ 32.84 $ 41.05 Original Price $41.05 . Levi's Stadium is nearly deserted on game days of late. Here's where we stand, Armed carjacking suspect leads police on dangerous chase. Thankfully, Sam didnt see too worse for wear. A: If we got together for dinner that would be EPIC! So when you're watching the Super Bowl on Sunday, be sure to pay extra attention to these mascots who have also worked their whole lives for this moment. (For booking information and fun facts, go to sourdough.sam@49ers.com). Thank you for being Faithful and GO NINERS! Some changes are bigger than others. Combine the Niners success in recent years with an exciting brand of football and an insatiably loyal fanbase and you have a recipe for one loud, raucous horde. See who we are picking to be the next UFC heavyweight champion. He'd shoot T-shirts from a cannon in the third quarter, then return to the field to pump up the crowd in the fourth and final frame. The crowd noise the last few seasons, the energy in Levis has gotten bigger and bigger, Coach DC beamed. Known for his love of sourdough bread, SDS would take the bread with him on a hard day's work of digging in the gold mines. For appearance bookings and Sourdough Sam inquiries please e-mail sourdoughsam@49ers.com or call: (408)-579-4400. This season, much has changed for Sourdough Sam on game day. During the off season SDS loves to visit the future 49er youthful at 49er youth camps, schools, birthday parties and much more! Sam Raimi how to bake Sourdough. Sign up now for exclusive content sent to your inbox, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. With his miners pick in the air Sam leads the San Francisco 49ers on to field now at Levi's Stadium. First, there were rehearsals to attend. [1] The character's design reflected the cover art of programs created by William Kay between 1946 and 1949when the 49ers were a part of the All-America Football Conference[3]which depicted a bushy-mustached prospector with two pistols. Sourdough Sam is a gold. Striking gold at Candlestick Park in 1994, Sourdough was drafted to the 49ers as the team's official mascot! Wolves may not be running around the area, but there is one running around Arrowhead Stadium. Are you pals with other mascots? Its a job that requires great conditioning and uber energy. Sourdough Sam is the first official mascot for the Bay Area's team and stepped onto the scene in 1994. Do you ever dream of stepping out in Gucci or Brioni? SFist spoke with the man behind Sam's mask whose name is a carefully. Its Christmas Eve, and Im headed to Levis Stadium to watch the 49ers face off against the Washington Commanders. Only two teams, the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars, are allowing limited amounts of attendees at their stadiums. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. When I ask what makes him special, she says, Everything How many mascots you know who can breakdance?. Jerry Richardson dies at 86; former NFL player was first owner of Carolina Panthers It was eerily quiet, even with music playing.. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Sam is a friend to all. To offset the eeriness, Abramson had Sam operate like there. I LOVE to dance! Thats a nod to San Franciscos famous sourdough bread. After awhile, Sam heads insidewith kickoff nearing. Sourdough Slim plays his accordion at the Western Folklife Center in January 2019. Sam, Sammy Claus, Sammy, 49er Miner and Sam Q: Wow, thats impressive So if you, Lou Seal (Giants), Stomper (As) and S.J. Sam knows how important it is to be healthy. For the more seasoned faithful fan if you have an event of any kind (corporate gatherings, festivals, charities, or special deliveries) Sourdough will impress you with his many talents! Striking gold at Candlestick Park in 1994, Sourdough was drafted to the 49ers as the team's official mascot! With little in the way of direction from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell this season as far as league-wide policy regarding fan attendance at games, electing instead to defer to state governments, different protocols have been enforced across different stadiums. Sourdough Sam returned for the 2011 season with a beard and blue eyes. Sourdough Sam 49er's Unisex Football Jersey (AOP) 49er's Super Bowl Football Jersey,Gold Mine,Win,Big Boy,San Francisco,Golden Gate Bridge Ad vertisement by TheeLionestaGarden TheeLionestaGarden. He shared in an email exchange before our meeting that the best place to pick up a loaf in the city isBoudin SF. Keeps my beard soft and glowing all day. But whats the best thing about being a mascot? Sign up for the However, Sourdough Sam has made appearances with other outfits for special occasions. From NFL plays to college sports scores, all the top . Sam is tall, towering over me at a stately 6-foot-6. He also wears a large, dark brown cowboy hat emblazoned with the logo for the 49ers and dark brown boots. Wolf. Won a title, too. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters, Sourdough Sam is touted in these parts as the hardest working mascot in the NFL.. But nothing beats having the fans out there for actual, authentic reactions. Tell us about your workout regime. Usually, Sam wears just a jersey and a pair of overalls hes a gold miner after all. Sourdough Sam has been the team's rootin' tootin' unblinkin . Just make a tomato sauce: pured canned tomatoes with garlic, thyme, chile flakes, a big splash of fish sauce and another of brown sugar. (h/t @NickMcD209 on Instagram) pic.twitter.com/WMLD5i7RYX. Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. With the NFL and Covid, a lot of things have changed, Coach DC said. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. The 49ers mascot is an homage to sourdough. [8][9] He sometimes carries a large pickax. You still have to bring the energyeven with the fans not there," Abramson says. Well, really Im there to spend some quality time with Sourdough Sam, the 49ers' beloved but elusive mascot, who has invited me to watch him work. The San Francisco 49ers NFL football team pays tribute to the bread that became synonymous with the city by the bay and references its link to the Gold Rush. He wears a white long-sleeved shirt underneath the jersey and sports light brown gloves as well as a gold handkerchief around his neck. Just give Sam the mic, and watch what happens! Although we may disagree about which team is the best, we actually get together annually for our NFL Mascot Summit where awards are given out. For each touchdown, he runs behind the goal post and removes his hat, catching the football in it. [4] In 1985, this version of Sourdough Sam appeared in a cookbook titled 49er Fixens. This is a carousel. He is about to head to Miami for the Super Bowl! In the Before Times, Sam's gameday routine was quite regimented, Abramson says. Its 60 and sunny when I cross the county line into Santa Clara, home of the San Francisco 49ers. It's a strange sensation having your wacky antics largely ignored, but Abramson feels like Sourdough Sam hit his stride eventually. at At a San Francisco 49ers game Diaz was spotted in the stadium going toe-to-toe with 49ers mascot Sourdough Sam. 1 Lou Seal; No. And he's adopting a pro football player's mindset for how Sourdough Sam will approach the rest of the season. #49ers #BirthdayWeekend #SourdoughSamJoin us in celebrating our beloved gold miner Sourdough Sam. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. The proud 49ers mascot since the 1970s, Sourdough Sam, remains. Toni R. Milano Toni Milano ELKO - Combining vintage cowboy music and good-natured comedy, Sourdough Slim and. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Team mascots of the past scored big points with fans", "Our SF: Crazy Crab leads the mascot hall of fame", "Before the NFL: Sourdough Sam's Swagger", "LOOK: 49ers Sourdough Sam mascot gets new pair of Levi's", "PHOTO GALLERY: SOURDOUGH SAM RECEIVES BRAND NEW LEVI'S JEANS", "49ers will wear alternate black uniforms in Monday night opener", "Image of Sourdough Sam celebrating with pickax", "Sourdough Sam aboard U.S.S. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. 3 Swoop (Philadelphia Eagles); No. To see the fans energy go up to this max level has been really awesome to witness. Its what Sourdough Sam misses the most, and cant wait to get back. On Wednesday, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new initiative to end the sale of gas-powered automobiles in the state by 2035 a 15-year timeline that will make this state of 40 million people the first in the nation to phase out gas-only vehicles completely. Against the Cardinals, Abramson's abridged plan for Sourdough Sam was put to the test. Some have decked out the back of their flatbed trucks with stockings bearing the numbers of star players. Clearly #BMOC, everyone wants a piece. As for Sam, theyre all big fans. Four days later, on Sept. 13, Sourdough Sam was back at Levi's Stadium for the 49ers season opener. Sourdough baking requires minimal equipment and simple ingredients - flour, salt, and water - but invites practice. Sam poses for a few photos with the family and doles out some gift-wrapped T-shirts, which his handler has been carrying around. Sam "Fuels Up" with good foods, and a lot of practice to be the best he can be. A fun-loving gold prospector with a prodigious beard and an appetite for sourdough bread, he's been pumping up fans since the team's days at Candlestick Park. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nfl | pageType: stories | Were a little overjoyed to see everyone again, the familiar Faithful, season ticket holders, the fans that come dressed up every game, Sams #1 fans, Coach DC said. How the San Francisco 49ers 2021 draft class has garnered acclaim from around the league. San Francisco 49ers mascot Sourdough Sam during the NFL Super Bowl Opening Night at Marlins Park in Miami, Fla. On January 27, 2020. But know: If you ask Abramson if he mans the Sourdough Sam costume, he wont confirm or deny it, mostly to keep the magic alive.. DUH! Q: We think its cool how you get into the games for free and hang out on the field. Now, with his miners pick high in . At a San Francisco 49ers game Diaz was spotted in the stadium going toe-to-toe with 49ers mascot Sourdough Sam. Yes, not even an NFL mascot is exempt from the domino effects of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. His name? He quaffs them a bit, evidently feeling himself, and then struts back into the stadiums interior, leaving me to watch the players warm up and chat with fans. Don't just have an event have and event with a mascot who is going to make that best memories possible! Q: You are obviously in fantastic shape. Wolf has its own Twitter account and was the first NFL mascot to be inducted in the Mascot Hall of Fame. Then, the crew had to imitate the mascot's dance moves. It took Sourdough Sam a second to adapt, but he quickly got into the groove of everything., Coach Shanahan, the players, Coach DC, and Sourdough Sam will all tell you the same thing: they miss The Faithful. Its almost dreamlike, or nightmarish, with Sam bringing the same energy for every play despite no fans to cater to. Legendary San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young plays in Super Bowl XXIX in 1995 in Miami. Striking gold at Candlestick Park in 1994, Sourdough was drafted to the 49ers as the team's official mascot! I love kicking, and Ive got a strong leg to boot. A photo of 49ers mascot Sourdough Sam at Levi's Stadium from Sept. 2020. Had he travelled with the team to New York against the Jets, perhaps his presence alone might just have saved Head Coach Kyle Shanahan and the team $350,000 dollars in fines this week levied from the league for not wearing masks during the game. Sourdough Sam is a mascot for the NFL's San Francisco 49ers. In 2015, a video of Sourdough Sam making his own birthday cake was released on this date. Please welcome your San Francisco 49ers, the loudspeaker booms and Sam runs out, chasing after fiveflag-bearers. Sam, Sammy Claus, Sammy, 49er Miner and Sam, Height:6'6 without his hat (With his hat, pretty darn tall), Hobbies:Digging for gold, breakdancing, painting, football, drumming, working out, kicking field goals, and silent reading. Sourdough Sam. It yielded my best bread thus far (SD#4)! Levis Stadium is nearly deserted on game days of late. Recently it looked as though Diaz had added his first post-UFC title to his collection. Watching the season opener on Thursday Night Football with the Houston Texans taking on the Chiefs in Kansas City, one might forget that KC was not in fact immune to the novel coronavirus, with a stadium on TV that was littered with fans. His outfit (a full velvet Santa suit) is seasonally appropriatebut so warm that Samhas to take 10-minute breaks on the hour. "Sourdough probably put more steps in than anybody on gameday," Abramson says. Sharkie; No. Sourdough Sam is a gold. The only fan still in the stands on Sundays thats not a paper cut-out is Sourdough Sam, the franchises treasured mascot. Sam knows how important it is to be healthy. On Sept. 9, San Francisco 49ers mascot Sourdough Sam posed for a photoshoot with Clo the Cow, the mascot of Clover Sonoma, a new team sponsor. Reyna, who sayshe has been a fan of the team for 40years, is sporting a Grinch costume while his sons are dressed as a moose and a gingerbread man. A: I have Coach DC, my Mascot Manager, to keep me humble and focused. Since 1994, the official team mascot has been named Sourdough Sam, a suspender-clad, bearded miner adorned in a gold scarf, cowboy hat, and work . A photo of 49ers mascot Sourdough Sam at Levi's Stadium in Sept. 2020. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Known for his love of sourdough bread, SDS would take the bread with him on a hard day's work of digging in the gold mines. In fact, NFL mascots across the league are pretty close. KJ brings a unique perspective to the world of sports media. Something went wrong. . Thank you for being Faithful! The original Chiefs mascot was named Warpaint and it was a horse ridden by a man in a headdress. I followed (as close as possible) Jon Favreau's methods from his Netflix show (The Chef Show, Season 1,Volume 3 - Pasta ala Raimi), in which he teaches Dir. Now, the Midday LIVE team got the chance to have some fun with the face of the 49ers, Sourdough Sam! Energetic, funny, and kind hearted, Sourdough Sam represents the best of the 49ers, and the Faithful. Q: If the 49ers ever needed you to play in a pinch, what position would best showcase your skills? Samdiana Jones came out on top at the knighting on Feb. 24. Those furry larger-than-life characters bring an excitement level to the game and the fans in attendance, and have to be on their game as well when the Super Bowl spotlight is on them. Sourdough Sam pays a visit to the "Midday LIVE" set by playing games and dancing on January 24, 2020. San Francisco 49ers | It's a strange sensation having your wacky antics largely ignored, but Abramson feels like Sourdough Sam hit his stride eventually. He runs out of the tunnel greeting an already half-packed stadium and I run after him, stunned by his athleticism. It became so closely associated. Nate Diaz scored his latest KO at an NFL stadium. During the off season SDS loves to visit the future 49er youthful at 49er youth camps, schools, birthday parties and much more! Sourdough was a staple for many who came north during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898, allowing them to make bread without the use of baker's yeast or baking soda. Decide for yourself below. Striking gold at Candlestick Park in 1994, Sourdough was drafted to the 49ers as the team's official mascot! He trains his comically large blue eyes on me and gets down on one knee, feigning a proposal. The sky wasn't orange anymore; it was smoky, and the air quality in Santa Clara was poor. Alex Shultz is the local editor for SFGATE. His jeans are held up by suspenders, and in 2014 he was outfitted with a new pair of Levi's jeans after 60 years of wearing a non-branded pair, with promotional images of his entering Levi's Taylor Shop and watching his custom pair be produced. Maybe hes resting from the heat of his costume or maybe hes keenly aware that his power is best used in small spurts, as a gimmick to rile up the crowd but not to overwhelm them with his cheesiness. [23], He has appeared on Fox, Monday Night Football, ESPN's SportsCenter, Extra, MTV, Evening Magazine, and Nickelodeon. By the time I park, the tailgate is already in full swing and fans are leaning heavily into the Christmas spirit. [5][6], Another design change switched his helmet for a wide-brimmed ten-gallon hat with a chunk taken out of its brim and gave him a longer brown beard and larger, brown eyes.[7]. Q: To be honest, your wardrobe jeans and jersey is rather limited. Itll be like seeing your friend after a long break of summer, like back to school with everyone reunited.. 49ers PREP, presented by U.S. Bank, empowers Bay Area youth to lead healthy lifestyles by engaging in physical activity and nurturing the growth of student athletes beyond the playing field. This year, however, Sam has shifted to creating content and supporting other brands, as well as creating education videos to promote STEAM education and learning in general. A: Theres nothing I love more than getting down in my Levis 501 Jeans. "Normally [he's] wiped out and exhausted.". Is there a professional mascot association? Sourdough Sam's birthday is April 9, likely coinciding with the month-date format of the day, 4/9. A gold rush prospectorthemed character first appeared in the 1970s. Going into the first game, there was a lot of different prep and work to get there. Follow me throughout the 49ers football season to see what I'm up to!. When Sourdough Sam is not at Levi's Stadium, he is digging in the gold mines and enjoying his favorite food which is a San Fran staple: sourdough bread. As a miner, he depicted a large man with an oversized football helmet and plaid shirt matching that worn in the original William Kay cover art. Those who have been to games over the years and have had the chance to see him in action know hes athletic, loving, and welcoming. Wolves are not the thing most people think of when they picture Kansas City or Missouri, and according to Wolf.org, the state does not even have a wolf population. SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- So, Larry Beil got some cheerleading lessons from the 49ers Gold Rush on Thursday's 4pm newscast. I look shocked, the crowd breaks into laughterand Sams handler snaps a picture. A: The Seattle Seahawks mascot, Blitz. In lieu of roaming all corners of the stadium, Sam posted up next to his favorite cutouts, and manned the 49ers' foghorn, a task often assigned to a special guest. Sourdough Sams dressing room, where he has a small goldmine set up for his props and signs, is now located a little closer to the action. 258 talking about this. The 49ers recently made Clover Sonoma their preferred milk partner, so you can look forward to a holiday eggnog sweepstakes, and Sam led Clo the Cow through a workout to see if she has what it takes to be an NFL mascot. Tony Reyna, 52, bought the costumes for him and his two sons to appear in Christmas parades. Wolf replaced this mascot in 1989. While the game progressed, Sam visited as many sections of the stadium as possible. Once the pandemic happened, we all jumped on Zoom to talk about the future and whats happening, Coach DC explained. UFC 285 staff picks and predictions: Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane. He has appeared with black boots and a black third jersey that was introduced in 2015,[10][11][12] a camouflage shirt and jacket with camouflage headband for military related appearances,[13][14][15] a red and white Santa suit-esqe top for holiday promotion,[16] and a pink shirt with purple handkerchief for breast cancer awareness efforts. ", Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Los Gatos: Hundreds still without power as Black Road repair project finishes early, 49ers Sourdough Sam on his key rivals, favorite dance song and beard-grooming tips, Ex-NFL players who had concussion symptoms performed worse on cognitive tests decades after retirement: Boston study, Jerry Richardson dies at 86; former NFL player was first owner of Carolina Panthers, Why Brock Purdys surgery delay could be a good thing for 49ers, Trey Lance, 49ers get high marks for facilities, player treatment in NFLPA survey, Michael Irvins attorney mad as hell Marriott wont provide video of alleged incident. An eeriness pools in each end zone amongst the $149 paper cutout ghosts, below the fog and smoke from nearby fires, while a loud but still seemingly-distant manufactured crowd noise drones on without falter. Simmer it until it thickens, then add your dumplings and . It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Throughout the game Sam appears intermittently on the sidelines, drumming his oversized hands across the edge of the red divider. A: I keep in shape with 49ers PREP workouts. But how do you handle all the fame and stay grounded? It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. For those wondering just how these mascots came to be on the sidelines, we did the research so you don't have to. NFL NEWSLETTER:Sign up now for exclusive content sent to your inbox. Unlike some of the other teams in the league, these mascots and their names are not obviously linked to their teams. At Levis Stadium, however, its a different story entirely. The ever-popular fighter has already been talking up whats next for him (with all signs pointing to a massive payday opposite Jake Paul). Were riding the elevator when Sam looks over and startlesme with a low Hey, hows it going? This will be the only time I hear his voice his mystery remaining alive and well. We do a variety of exercises for 60 minutes. One trio of festively dressed season ticketholders tells me they go to every home game. Tradues em contexto de "Sourdough" en portugus-ingls da Reverso Context : Se no tiver Sourdough, sete gros so suficientes. Get all the latest & greatest posts delivered straight to your inbox, Regarding Sourdough Sam, the Last Fan Standing At Levis, Giants Lowering Beer Prices, Though Only At a Few Concession Stands, Steph Curry Suffers Leg Injury, Is Expected to Miss a Few Weeks, 49ers' Dream Run Comes to an End with Injury to Purdy and a Blowout by Philadelphia. Its Christmas Eve, but hey, its Niner time, adds Marlon Allen, 47. A: They are named the Faithful for a reason. Stay up to date! Win or lose, our fans always represent. Sourdough Sam is the hardest working mascot in the NFL. Sourdough Sam typically wears a cardinal football jersey, despite the 49ers' current selection of team color being 49ers Red, and his jersey number is 49. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Sourdough Sam is a mascot for the NFL's San Francisco 49ers. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. After the photos, Sam takes off his hat, revealing straight orange locks. Nicknames:SDS, Sour Dizzle, Sam The Man, Super Sam, Sgt. Please enter a valid email and try again. A: No. They seemed so appropriate for a Christmas Eve game, though, that he couldnt resist bringing them. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. He wears a jersey and of course wears the number 49, for obvious reasons. I won Stunt of the Year in 2019 for riding a Big Wheel down a very curvy street in San Francisco. Sam motions for me to join him in front of the backdrop. When it comes to the 49er Faithful, we really are family, says a man who lists his name as 49er Mark (age 49, of course). Sourdough Sam, the 49ers mascot, didn't get that hooked up, but the team did throw him a bone and fit him with a new pair of Levi's jeans. To get a better sense of what life is like for an NFL mascot this season, SFGATE twice spoke to Constantine DC Abramson, whos held the position on a full-time basis since 2017. Sam is a friend to all. The biggest changes to Sourdough Sams role on game day are felt at the stadium. Sort: Relevant Newest # nfl # bread # 49ers # san francisco 49ers # nfl mascot # art # sleep # digital # computer # foodie # sam rockwell # movies # 80s # 1980s # 1989 # road house Now? Thank you for being Faithful and GO NINERS! Sourdough Sam is a gold miner that loves to have fun, and pumps up the 49er faithful at every home game. It is perhaps the reason he can connect with the 49ers Faithful the most. Before the introduction of Sourdough Sam, the 49ers' first mascot[1] was a mule named Clementine that wore a red saddle blanket and appeared in the 1950s and 1960s.[2]. ! 3.9k votes, 255 comments. 2.7m members in the nfl community. Sourdough Sam in Egg-Catcher Game - Play online at Y8.com Support for the Flash plugin has moved to the Y8 Browser Install the Y8 Browser to play FLASH Games Download Y8 Browser or Ball Sort: Color Puzzle Challenge 991 play times Play HTML5 Game Sourdough Sam in Egg-Catcher 14,237 play times Requires Y8 Browser Report a bug 69.72% Whether its one, 1,000, or 10,000, you still gotta give it your all, you still gotta perform, Coach DC explained. [18], He has a Facebook page with over 80,000 likes and a Twitter page with username @SourdoughSam49, both of which release posts referring to him in the first person. Sourdough Sam is a mascot for the NFL's San Francisco 49ers. He's still in mourning over the cancellation of "Freaks and Geeks. SANTA CLARA, CA - MAY 10: San Francisco 49ers mascot Sourdough Sam gives a fist bump to teenager Malyna Trujillo, 15, of San Jose, during a press conference at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara . Fireworks lit up the sky with an accompanying radio soundtrack on Feb. 25, and the Rendezvous Parade floated down Main Street in the afternoon on Feb. 26. Neither Sourdough Sam nor Coach DC are feeding anyone any excuses. A: The best thing about being a mascot is having the power to elevate the crowds energy before, during, and after a game. Well, there's less running around, for one. Hey Faithful, this is my official Facebook page! Q: Hirsute men everywhere want to know: How do you keep your beard looking so good? Purism is a part of the appeal. part of the name is rather obvious. On leaving the UFC Diaz said his goal was to scoop up accolades, titles and lots of cash before eventually returning to the Octagon.