The Tomahawk Chop

Lore & Background

The gesture was first observed in the 1984 Florida State Seminoles football season, and has since been adopted by numerous other sports teams. The tomahawk chop first appeared as a random occurrence during the 1984 matchup between the Florida State Seminoles and the Auburn Tigers. The chant first originated in the fraternity section of Doak Campbell Stadium, and was echoed by Florida State's Marching Chiefs marching band. The Atlanta Braves adopted the tomahawk chop in 1991. While some have credited Deion Sanders for bringing the chop to Atlanta, it was Braves organist Carolyn King who started playing the "tomahawk song." King started playing the "tomahawk song" before at bats for a few seasons, but it caught on with Braves fans when the team started winning in 1991. The foam tomahawk was invented in 1991 by foam salesman Paul Braddy after hearing Skip Caray say during a radio broadcast that the Braves needed tomahawks to accompany their newly acquired chop. Braddy carved a tomahawk out of foam with an electric knife, and concessions manager John Eifert bought 5,000 for sale. The foam tomahawks became very popular at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Fulton County Stadium hangs heavy with humidity and anticipation. The ninth inning is upon us, bases loaded, two outs. Suddenly, the organ swells. A thousand hands rise in unison, chopping through the humid Georgia night. The sound is a physical force, vibrating through the bleachers, drowning out the crack of the bat for a split second before the roar returns.

Reader's Guide

The tomahawk chop involves moving the forearm forwards and backwards repeatedly with an open palm to simulate a tomahawk chopping, and is often accompanied by a distinctive cheer. The Atlanta Braves also developed a foam tomahawk to complement the fan actions. The chop has been the source of controversy for decades and has been characterized as a racist caricature of Native American culture.

Did You Know?

• The tomahawk chop first appeared as a random occurrence during the 1984 matchup between the Florida State Seminoles and the Auburn Tigers.
• The Atlanta Braves adopted the tomahawk chop in 1991, and it was Braves organist Carolyn King who started playing the 'tomahawk song.'
• Foam tomahawks were invented in 1991 by foam salesman Paul Braddy after he heard Skip Caray mention the need for tomahawks on a radio broadcast.
• The Kansas City Chiefs adopted the gesture in November 1990 after the Northwest Missouri State band, directed by a Florida State graduate, did the chant.