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

If you follow the Atlanta Braves or Atlanta sports history, you’ve probably heard the name “Chief Noc-A-Homa.” For many long-time fans, it brings back memories of Fulton County Stadium. For others, especially newer Atlantans, it raises questions about Native American imagery, team traditions, and how the city sees them today.

This guide walks through who Chief Noc-A-Homa was, how the character was used by the Braves in Atlanta, why it became controversial, and what that history means now if you live in or are visiting Atlanta, Georgia.

Who (or What) Was Chief Noc-A-Homa?

Chief Noc-A-Homa was the longtime mascot character for the Atlanta Braves during the 1960s–1980s. The character was portrayed as a Native American “chief” who celebrated Braves home runs and wins.

Key points about the character:

• Human mascot: Played by a person in costume, not a cartoon-style mascot.
• Home run ritual: The “Chief” would emerge from a teepee beyond the outfield fence and perform a dance when the Braves hit a home run.
• Name pun: “Noc-A-Homa” sounded like “knock a homer,” tying directly into baseball home runs.

When the Braves moved to Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in 1966, the character became a visible part of the in-game entertainment, especially during the Hank Aaron era.

Chief Noc-A-Homa in Atlanta: How the Mascot Was Used

For Atlanta fans in the 1970s and 1980s, Chief Noc-A-Homa was a central stadium tradition.

Game-Day Experience at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium

At the old stadium in downtown Atlanta:

• A painted teepee sat in the left-field or outfield stands.
• When a Braves player hit a home run, Chief Noc-A-Homa would:
  • Run out of the teepee
  • Dance or “celebrate” near the outfield
  • Rile up the crowd with chants and gestures

For many fans at the time, this felt like part of the Braves’ “home-field atmosphere,” much like how the Tomahawk Chop later became associated with games at Turner Field and Truist Park.

Who Played Chief Noc-A-Homa?

The most famous performer associated with the role was Levi Walker Jr., who identified as Native American and portrayed Chief Noc-A-Homa for years in Atlanta.

From a local perspective, many long-time fans remember him as:

• A recognizable personality around the ballpark
• Someone who interacted with kids and fans before and after games
• A symbol that, at the time, was widely accepted but is now viewed much more critically

While some Atlantans still speak about him fondly as part of their childhood memories, public conversation today is much more focused on cultural sensitivity and how Native American imagery is used.

Controversy Around Chief Noc-A-Homa and Native American Imagery

As time passed, the Chief Noc-A-Homa character shifted from being seen as “fun tradition” to a source of controversy, in Atlanta and beyond.

Why the Mascot Became Problematic

For many Native Americans and allies, mascots like Chief Noc-A-Homa are considered:

• Stereotypical: Reducing Native people to a costume, caricature, or “warrior” image.
• Culturally insensitive: Using sacred or culturally important clothing, headdresses, or symbols for entertainment.
• Dehumanizing: Treating a real group of people as a team symbol rather than as modern communities with diverse cultures and identities.

In Atlanta, conversations began to include:

• Whether it was respectful to have a “Chief” dancing from a teepee at baseball games.
• How Native American communities felt about being portrayed this way.
• Whether long-standing traditions should change when they conflict with evolving community values.

Changing Times in Atlanta Sports Culture

As attitudes shifted nationally in the 1980s and 1990s, several things happened:

• The Chief Noc-A-Homa character was phased out, and the teepee was eventually removed from the stadium.
• The Braves organization moved toward other types of branding and entertainment, including cartoon-style mascots and family-focused activities that didn’t center on a human character dressed as a Native American chief.

This transition mirrored broader changes across U.S. sports, as teams reconsidered how they used Native American names, logos, and symbols.

What Replaced Chief Noc-A-Homa for Atlanta Braves Fans?

If you attend a game today at Truist Park in Cobb County, you won’t see Chief Noc-A-Homa or his teepee. Instead, you’ll find a very different game-day experience.

Today’s Mascot: Blooper

The Braves’ current mascot is Blooper, a large, cartoon-style character introduced in 2018. Blooper:

• Has no connection to Native American imagery
• Focuses on family-friendly entertainment—dancing on the dugouts, taking pictures with kids, and hyping the crowd
• Fits in with modern expectations for sports mascots: playful, silly, and not tied to real-world ethnic or cultural identities

For many newer Atlanta residents and visitors, Blooper is the only Braves mascot they know.

The Tomahawk Chop and Ongoing Debate

Even though Chief Noc-A-Homa is gone, Native American imagery and themes are still part of Braves culture in some ways, especially:

• The Tomahawk Chop chant and arm motion
• The tomahawk icon on uniforms and merchandise

In Atlanta, reactions to these traditions vary:

• Some fans view the chop as an “iconic Braves tradition” tied to playoff runs and big moments.
• Others, including many Native voices, see it as offensive or mocking and argue it should be retired.

If you are attending games at Truist Park, you may see ongoing discussions online, in local media, and among fans about whether and how these traditions should change—similar to debates around other teams’ names and symbols across the country.

Timeline: Chief Noc-A-Homa and the Braves in Atlanta

Here’s a simplified look at how Chief Noc-A-Homa fits into Atlanta Braves history:

How Atlantans Talk About Chief Noc-A-Homa Today

If you live in or are exploring Atlanta sports culture, you’ll likely encounter several recurring viewpoints on Chief Noc-A-Homa:

1. Nostalgia from Longtime Fans

People who grew up going to Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium often remember:

• The teepee in the outfield as a unique stadium feature
• The Chief’s dance after home runs as a signal to cheer even louder
• The character as part of “old Braves baseball,” especially before the 1990s championship era

When these fans talk about Chief Noc-A-Homa, they often emphasize personal memories from childhood and family trips to the ballpark.

2. Criticism Based on Cultural Respect

Many Atlanta residents, especially in more recent years, focus on:

• The harmful stereotypes embedded in the character
• The impact of turning Native identity into a costume or performance
• The importance of updating traditions to align with current values of respect and inclusion

In these conversations, Chief Noc-A-Homa is often cited as an example of how sports culture can change over time—and why some symbols don’t age well.

3. Context in the Larger Braves Debate

The Chief Noc-A-Homa history is frequently mentioned when people discuss:

• Whether the “Braves” name itself should be reconsidered
• Whether the Tomahawk Chop should continue
• How the Braves organization should engage with Native communities when making decisions about branding and traditions

For someone new to Atlanta, understanding Chief Noc-A-Homa provides background for why these debates feel especially charged and emotional for some fans.

Visiting Braves Sites in Atlanta: What You’ll See (and Not See)

If you’re in Atlanta and curious about this part of Braves history, here’s what to expect locally:

Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta

• Location: 755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta-area (Cobb County, near I-285/I-75).
• What you’ll see:
  • Modern Braves branding with the tomahawk logo, red-and-navy color scheme, and World Series tributes.
  • The Blooper mascot on game days.
  • Statues and displays about Braves legends like Hank Aaron and other players—focused on on-field performance, not the old Noc-A-Homa character.

You generally will not find official displays of Chief Noc-A-Homa at Truist Park. The focus is on championships and player history rather than earlier mascot imagery.

Historic Context in the City

While there is no major public museum exhibit in Atlanta dedicated specifically to Chief Noc-A-Homa, you may see references to him:

• In local sports history discussions
• In memorabilia shops or private collections, where old programs, bobbleheads, or photos sometimes appear
• In oral histories and fan conversations, especially among Atlantans who attended games in the 1970s and 1980s

For a broader sense of Atlanta sports and civil rights context, some visitors pair Braves history with stops at:

• The Atlanta History Center (130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA), which covers city history, including sports and cultural shifts.
• The King Center (449 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA), to understand broader civil rights and social justice movements that helped influence how communities across the city think about race, identity, and representation today.

These sites don’t focus on the mascot, but they help put changing community values in perspective.

How to Talk About Chief Noc-A-Homa Respectfully in Atlanta

If the topic comes up with Atlanta friends, coworkers, or fellow fans, it can be helpful to:

• Acknowledge both memory and impact
  • It’s possible for someone to have positive childhood memories of the mascot while also recognizing that the imagery is offensive to many.
• Listen to Native perspectives
  • Seek out voices from Native individuals and organizations that speak about mascots, including those with ties to the Southeast and Georgia.
• Recognize Atlanta’s ongoing evolution
  • The city has changed significantly in demographics, culture, and awareness since the 1960s–1980s. What once passed without much question is now often re-examined.

For many Atlanta residents today, understanding Chief Noc-A-Homa is less about celebrating the character and more about learning from the past as the city continues to shape what kind of community it wants to be—at the ballpark and beyond.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Braves Fans and Visitors

• Chief Noc-A-Homa was the Atlanta Braves’ former Native American–themed mascot, most visible at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in the 1960s–1980s.
• The mascot featured a teepee in the outfield and a costumed “Chief” dancing after home runs, and the name played on the phrase “knock a homer.”
• Over time, the character became widely seen as culturally insensitive and stereotypical, contributing to its removal.
• Today, the Braves use Blooper as a cartoon mascot at Truist Park, and there is no active Chief Noc-A-Homa character in Atlanta.
• Debates in Atlanta now focus on remaining Native-themed elements—especially the tomahawk logo and the Tomahawk Chop chant—and how they align with the city’s values.
• For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, knowing the story of Chief Noc-A-Homa helps explain how local sports traditions have changed—and why discussions about Braves imagery are still very active in the city today.