The stadium crowd phenomenon known as the Mexican wave originated with a professional cheerleader.
In short: While often associated with international sports, the synchronized standing wave was created by Krazy George Henderson. This video explores the origins of the gesture and identifies the specific professional baseball game where it first appeared before a national audience.
The wave was conceived in the late 1970s by Krazy George Henderson, a professional cheerleader who holds the record for the longest continuous career in the field, spanning over four decades. Although frequently called a Mexican wave in many regions, its roots lie in American sports culture.
The phenomenon reached a wider public on October 15, 1981. It occurred during a postseason match between the New York Yankees and the Oakland Athletics. The Yankees secured a 4-0 victory in that contest, effectively ending the Athletics' run in the playoffs.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Who Invented the Sporting "Mexican" Wave?
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