Atlanta Braves Chief Noc-A-Homa: History, Controversy, and What It Means in Atlanta Today

If you follow the Atlanta Braves or you’re interested in local sports history, you’ve probably heard the name Chief Noc-A-Homa (often spelled “Knockahoma”). This character was once a central part of the Braves’ game-day experience in Atlanta, but today he’s also a key example in conversations about Native American imagery in sports.

This guide walks you through who Chief Noc-A-Homa was, how the mascot was used in Atlanta, why it was retired, and how the legacy shows up in today’s Braves culture—so you can understand the topic in a clear, Atlanta-focused way.

Who Was Chief Noc-A-Homa?

Chief Noc-A-Homa was a Native American–themed mascot used by the Atlanta Braves for decades.

• The character first appeared when the franchise was still in Milwaukee, then continued when the team moved to Atlanta in 1966.
• The name was a play on words: “Noc-A-Homa” sounding like “knock a homer,” a reference to home runs.
• In Atlanta, the mascot became well known because of his teepee in the outfield and his on-field dances after Braves home runs.

For many long-time Atlantans, memories of afternoon games at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium include seeing smoke rise from a teepee and a costumed figure celebrating near the bullpen.

How Chief Noc-A-Homa Was Used at Braves Games in Atlanta

The teepee in the outfield

At Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium, Chief Noc-A-Homa had a teepee set up in the outfield seating area. When a Braves player hit a home run, the “Chief” would:

• Run out of the teepee
• Perform a short dance or celebration
• Sometimes light smoke or fire for dramatic effect

This made the character a visual and energetic part of the game-day atmosphere, especially in the 1970s and early 1980s.

The person behind the mascot

For many years in Atlanta, the role of Chief Noc-A-Homa was most closely associated with Levi Walker Jr., a member of the Odawa (Ottawa) Nation:

• He put on the traditional-style regalia associated with the character.
• He performed dances and interacted with fans during games.
• He became a recognizable figure for Braves home games.

However, the character and presentations followed stereotyped images of Native Americans, which later drew more scrutiny and criticism, even as some local fans remembered him fondly as part of their Braves childhood.

Why Chief Noc-A-Homa Became Controversial

If you live in Atlanta now or are visiting for a Braves game at Truist Park, you won’t see Chief Noc-A-Homa. The mascot was retired decades ago in part because of growing concerns about offensive and stereotypical imagery.

Key issues people raised

Over time, Native American groups, advocates, and many local residents began to say that:

• The character reduced Native cultures to a caricature centered on war paint, feathers, and “war dances.”
• The name, costume, and teepee played into stereotypes rather than reflecting real tribal traditions or diversity.
• Using a “Chief” as a sports mascot treated Indigenous identity as a performance, rather than a living culture and set of communities.

Even though some fans associated the character with team spirit and nostalgia, others in Atlanta and beyond felt the mascot was disrespectful, especially as more people became aware of Native perspectives on appropriation and representation.

Changing attitudes in sports

Across professional and college sports, there has been a broader shift away from Native-themed mascots and logos:

• Many teams have changed mascots, logos, or names after criticism from Native communities and advocacy groups.
• In Atlanta, the Braves have repeatedly faced questions about their name, logos, and the tomahawk chop.

Chief Noc-A-Homa is now often mentioned as an example used in conversations about how the Braves’ image has evolved and what still needs to change.

When and How the Braves Retired Chief Noc-A-Homa

The Chief Noc-A-Homa character gradually faded out, with the teepee removed and the mascot role ended in the 1980s. Key points about that phase-out:

• The Braves shifted toward more conventional mascots and broader game entertainment.
• Over time, the organization moved away from having a live person portray a stereotyped Native figure on the field.

While the Braves still use Native-inspired imagery in other ways, Chief Noc-A-Homa himself is no longer an official part of the team’s branding or in-game experience in Atlanta.

How Chief Noc-A-Homa Fits Into Today’s Braves Experience in Atlanta

If you attend a Braves game today at Truist Park in Cumberland (just northwest of Atlanta), what you experience is very different from the era of Chief Noc-A-Homa at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium.

What you’ll see now

At a modern Atlanta Braves home game, you’re more likely to encounter:

• Modern mascots like Blooper, a generic, cartoonish character with no Native imagery
• Choreographed entertainment, races, and in-game contests on the big screen
• Music, light shows, and fan cams focused on crowd engagement rather than a single theme mascot

The old teepee-in-the-outfield display does not exist at Truist Park.

Ongoing Native imagery

Even without Chief Noc-A-Homa, Native themes haven’t disappeared entirely:

• The team name “Braves” remains.
• The tomahawk logo and tomahawk chop chant are still used, though they’ve been debated locally and nationally.

Chief Noc-A-Homa often comes up now when Atlantans discuss:

• Whether the team’s current branding should change further
• How the city and the Braves can show greater respect for Native communities
• How to frame and teach this part of Atlanta’s sports history, especially to younger fans

How Atlantans Encounter Chief Noc-A-Homa Today

Even though the mascot is gone, Atlantans still run across references in different ways.

1. Conversations and debates

If you talk sports around The Battery Atlanta, in local bars, or with long-time season ticket holders, you may hear:

• Personal stories about seeing Chief Noc-A-Homa at games in the 1970s–1980s
• Opinions ranging from nostalgia to discomfort or criticism
• Comparisons between “old Braves” imagery and what the team does now

These discussions can be a chance to explore how Atlanta has changed culturally and how the city re-examines its traditions.

2. Memorabilia and collectibles

You may also see Chief Noc-A-Homa appear in:

• Vintage Braves programs and scorecards sold at memorabilia shops
• Old baseball cards or promotional items
• Posters, pennants, or photographs from the Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium era

If you’re a collector in Atlanta, Chief Noc-A-Homa items are often treated as historical artifacts rather than endorsements of the imagery itself. People buy or display them to represent an era of Braves baseball, with varying degrees of reflection about the mascot’s implications.

3. Public history and education

Atlanta has several institutions and community spaces where sports history and social issues intersect, including:

• Atlanta History Center (130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305) – often explores Atlanta’s cultural and sports history through exhibits and public discussions.
• Local universities in the metro area sometimes host talks or classes on sports, race, and representation, where Chief Noc-A-Homa may be used as a case study.

These settings can offer a more critical, educational context for understanding how the mascot fit into broader patterns of representation.

Understanding Chief Noc-A-Homa in the Context of Atlanta’s Native History

When people in Atlanta talk about Chief Noc-A-Homa today, the conversation often widens to real Indigenous history in Georgia, which is much deeper and more complex than a sports mascot.

Native nations connected to Georgia

Before removal and displacement, several Native nations had homelands in what is now Georgia, including:

• Cherokee
• Muscogee (Creek)
• Yuchi and others

Those histories involve:

• Longstanding cultures, languages, and governance systems
• Forced removals in the 19th century, including routes related to the Trail of Tears

Against that backdrop, using a simplified, cartoonish “Chief” on the field in Atlanta is increasingly seen as minimizing that deeper history and lived reality.

How Atlantans can engage more respectfully

If you’re interested in understanding Native perspectives beyond the old mascot, you can:

• Seek out public talks, museum exhibits, or educational programming related to Indigenous history in Georgia.
• Learn about contemporary Native communities and organizations that connect to the region.
• Listen carefully to Native voices on issues like mascots, imagery, and respectful representation.

This can help reframe Chief Noc-A-Homa not just as a quirky part of Braves trivia, but as a starting point for deeper learning.

Quick Reference: Chief Noc-A-Homa vs. Today’s Braves Experience

If You’re Visiting Atlanta and Curious About This History

If you’re coming to Atlanta and want to connect the story of Chief Noc-A-Homa to places you can actually visit:

• ⚾ Attend a Braves game at Truist Park (755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30339) to see how the team presents its identity now—without the old mascot, but with some imagery still in use.
• 🏛️ Explore local history institutions like the Atlanta History Center, which often provide broader background on how sports fits into the city’s social and cultural evolution.
• 🗣️ Talk with long-time Atlanta residents or Braves fans—many will remember the mascot and can share how attitudes have shifted over their lifetimes.

This can give you a fuller picture of how Chief Noc-A-Homa moved from a beloved in-stadium character to a subject of reflection and debate in Atlanta.

In Atlanta today, “Chief Noc-A-Homa” is no longer a living mascot, but a historical symbol and a point of discussion about how the city, its fans, and its teams talk about Native imagery, identity, and respect. Understanding that past can help you better read the present-day Braves experience—and the conversations that surround it.