During the 2017 season, the Houston Astros mascot Orbit began to dance to the tune of “Moves Like Jagger.” However, no one anticipated the remarkable spectacle that was about to take place. As Orbit prepared to engage with a security guard, who stood as steadfast as the Queen’s Guard, the guard in the black uniform unexpectedly erupted into an impressive and dynamic dance performance.
The security guard captivated the audience on the Jumbotron with his erratic and exuberant gestures, reminiscent of a performance by The Beatles, eliciting cheers of joy from the crowd. His grand finale, a spectacular full-body plunge into an extraordinary worm dance, marked the conclusion of his spontaneous performance and emerged as one of the most memorable moments of the 2017 ALCS. Since that time, over 17 million viewers have experienced it on YouTube.
Nevertheless, an enigmatic performance of this nature is not the first instance in which a solitary flash mob has astonished security personnel at a sports stadium in Houston, Texas. The original concert that initiated this peculiar trend in the United States was captured in a remarkably similar viral video from 2014, featuring the renowned dancing security guard, Willis Harris.
Willis Clinton Harris, a freelance security guard, has gained recognition for his remarkable talent in executing flamboyant and extravagant dance performances, including theatrical splits and cartwheels. Since its debut just over ten years ago, his pioneering breakdancing security guard video, titled “Work It Willis,” has achieved viral status, amassing an impressive 99 million views on YouTube.
Willis Harris has established a reputation for going viral during sporting events, particularly at the Tampa Bay Rays games, through his distinctive dance moves. There has been widespread speculation that these now-famous viral videos were staged from the outset, especially following an incident in 2017 when an unidentified security officer engaged in an impromptu dance with the Houston Astros’ mascot, Orbit, three years after Harris’s original dance-off with Orbit. In an interview with Fox, Harris fueled further curiosity by referring to Orbit as a “good friend” and stating, “I’m not going to give away the secret sauce completely.” He acknowledged that while their interactions were not entirely planned, they were aware of their proximity to each other.
Regardless of the spontaneous nature of Harris’ performance, his interview with Fox indicates that his intentions were commendable: I have always had a passion for the entertainment industry. The primary reason is undoubtedly the job security it offers; secondly, it is about providing enjoyment to the audience. Therefore, we ought to embrace every chance to bring joy to others and adopt a lighter demeanor than we might typically exhibit.
Regardless of the actual cause of the strange phenomena of dancing security officers in Houston, these videos have gone viral and are sure to put a smile on anyone’s face.
