Levi Walker Jr. Cause of Death

Levi Walker, Jr., renowned as Chief Noc-A-Homa, the iconic mascot of the Atlanta Braves, passed away on Friday at the age of 80.

Walker held the role of the Braves’ mascot from 1966 to 1985, primarily stationed in a tipi situated beyond the left-field fence. He gained widespread recognition for his dance routine on the pitcher’s mound before games. Although various individuals portrayed the mascot over the years, Walker stood out as the most prominent figure and the sole Native American, hailing from Michigan and belonging to the Odawa Tribe.

The news of Walker’s passing was shared by Adam Murphy, a Facebook user associated with Adam Murphy News. Murphy expressed, “An Atlanta legend has peacefully left us. Levi Walker, Jr., known as Chief Noc-A-Homa, passed away at 12:05 PM today, surrounded by his loving family. Serving as the Atlanta Braves’ mascot from 1966-1985, he will be deeply missed by family, friends, and fans. #RIP.”

In 1966, the Atlanta Braves conducted a contest to name their mascot, and “Chief Noc-A-Homa” emerged as the winning choice.

In 1968, Walker proposed the idea of having a genuine Native American assume the role of the chief. Prior to becoming the mascot, he had worked as an insurance salesman, warehouse worker, and plumber.

Chief Noc-A-Homa became the center of attention due to two notable incidents. On May 26, 1969, Walker accidentally set his tipi on fire while celebrating a home run by Clete Boyer. Despite the brief scare, the fire was swiftly extinguished. The Braves and Walker parted ways ahead of the 1986 season, reportedly due to disagreements over compensation and missed appearances.

Another controversy arose in 1972 when activist Russell Means filed a lawsuit against the Cleveland Indians for their “Chief Wahoo” logo, also objecting to Chief Noc-A-Homa. Walker, in response, stated, “I think Indians can be proud that their names are used with professional sports teams.”

Walker’s health began to decline after he was first hospitalized in July 2022. However, even in his last year, he expressed gratitude for the blessings he received as the mascot for the Atlanta Braves, saying, “I’ve been blessed by the fans to be the mascot for the Atlanta Braves.