Snap Judgment: “The Wave - Snap Classic”

Air Date: March 26, 2026
Host: Glynn Washington
Producers: Bo Walsh, Anna Sussman
Featuring: Crazy George Henderson

Episode Overview

This “Snap Classic” revisits the origin story behind one of the most iconic stadium phenomena in sports—the Wave. Centering on Crazy George Henderson, the episode artfully blends real interviews and dramatized storytelling to chronicle how one man’s infectious energy at a struggling baseball team’s game changed the way fans express themselves worldwide. Set against the emotional backdrop of the Oakland Athletics’ final game in Oakland, this episode explores the power of communal spirit, contested legacies, and how even the quirkiest contributions can leave a permanent mark on culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction: Local Legends and Lingering Debates

[00:39–03:55]

• Glynn Washington opens with a humorous monologue about moving from Michigan to Oakland and discovering local linguistic quirks (like “hella”).
• He notes how cultural creativity is fiercely debated in the Bay Area, setting up the episode’s theme of contested origins.
• Glynn introduces the main story: uncovering the true inventor of the stadium “Wave.”
• Quote (Glynn Washington, [00:39]): “Please send any and all complaints to the Snap Judgment complaint department. JoeRogan@joerogan.com … but I gotta tell my truth…”

2. Crazy George's Origins: From Shy Mike to Stadium Showman

[05:09–09:47]

• George Henderson reflects on his painfully shy youth, going by his middle name “Mike” to avoid confusion with his father.
• It’s not until college (San Jose State) that he discovers his calling—playing the drum at football games and leading ever-larger crowds.
• Quote (Crazy George Henderson, [06:28]): “All through high school, I was called Mike… I don’t think I ever talked to a girl. I never went to a dance… And then they go, now you’re Crazy George.”

3. Crafting a Career: From Teaching to Cheering

[09:56–12:36]

• George struggles as a schoolteacher, unable to control his classrooms, but comes to life as a weekend cheerleader.
• He faces a crossroads: “I needed a job … I was teaching … but I wasn’t getting a lot of joy out of it.”
• George eventually takes a gamble—quitting teaching to become a full-time, professional cheerleader.
• Quote (Crazy George Henderson, [11:58]): “It was a dream. I was having more fun than anybody. They pay me to do what I was doing for seven years for nothing and having fun with it then. … I was happy.”

4. The Birth of the Wave

[13:01–15:20]

• Working a sparsely attended hockey game for the Colorado Rockies, George orchestrates what would become the first “Wave” by prompting three sections to stand and yell “Go!” in sequence.
• Something unexpected happens: “Suddenly … it was contagious … it kept going and it got bigger and louder as it went …”
• The crowd's reaction reflects the novelty and energy of George’s creation.
• Quote (Crazy George Henderson, [14:41]): “The sections of fans standing up to cheer and sitting down one section at a time in sequence sort of looked like waves in the ocean.”

5. Bringing the Wave to Prime Time: The 1981 Oakland A’s Playoff Game

[16:13–24:40]

• George is hired by the Oakland A’s during a difficult season, tasked with revitalizing the stadium's energy.
• On October 15, 1981, a high-stakes, nationally televised playoff game against the Yankees becomes the stage for his ambition.
• He attempts the Wave for the first time in a sold-out stadium (~47,000 fans).
• After a couple of faltering starts, the Wave finally takes off, engulfing the entire stadium.
• Quote (Crazy George Henderson, [23:45]): “Now every deck is doing it, and they’re screaming as it’s coming by. And it’s like the most intense thing you ever saw. Sounded like a locomotive.”
• The energy is transformative, for both the crowd and Crazy George himself.

6. The Battle for Credit – Who Really Invented the Wave?

[26:54–30:01]

• Soon after the A’s game, others begin to challenge George’s origin story—notably, the University of Washington claims they created the Wave at a football game two weeks after George’s Oakland debut.
• The narrative is further muddled by media coverage (e.g., Sports Illustrated) crediting other regions (Seattle, Mexico) for the invention.
• George’s frustration is palpable as he fights to set the record straight.
• Quote (Crazy George Henderson, [28:44]): “I couldn’t believe it. The story of the birth of the wave was getting retold across the country and now had a life of its own.”

7. The Wave Goes Global—and Gets a New Name

[29:38–30:50]

• The “Wave” spreads to the Olympics, then to Mexico, and subsequently infiltrates the World Cup as the “Mexican Wave.”
• George reflects on his inability to control the story as the Wave becomes a worldwide tradition.
• Quote (Crazy George Henderson, [30:01]): “Now it’s televised around the world… everybody calls it the Mexican wave. They invented it.”

8. Legacy & Farewell: Oakland’s Last Game

[32:02–34:13]

• As the A’s play their final game at the Coliseum, George is invited back to lead the Wave—his way of uniting the crowd in a bittersweet sendoff.
• The A’s always supported George’s claim, reaffirming the symbolic connection between city, team, and fan traditions.
• Quote (Crazy George Henderson, [34:23]): “When I’m gone, they will be talking about the wave. And so it means a lot to me.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Glynn Washington ([00:39]):
  “Imagine, then my surprise, my chagrin to learn that these Bay Area people have the gall and the audacity to say they invented the term ‘hella.’”
• Crazy George Henderson ([06:28]):
  “It’s quite a difference between Crazy George and Mike, I mean, the world of difference… now you’re Crazy George.”
• Crazy George Henderson ([14:49]):
  “That cheer, after it died or stopped, the place went nuts because they’d never seen anything like it. Neither did I.”
• Crazy George Henderson ([23:45]):
  “Now every deck is doing it, and they’re screaming as it’s coming by. And it’s like the most intense thing you ever saw.”
• Crazy George Henderson ([32:50]):
  “The A’s are the greatest baseball team in the world. … You invented the wave. I did.”
• Crazy George Henderson ([34:23]):
  “When I’m gone, they will be talking about the wave. And so it means a lot to me.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |---------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:39–03:55 | Opening story and setup – cultural pride and origins | | 05:09–09:47 | George’s early life and personal transformation | | 13:01–15:20 | First “wave” at a hockey game in Colorado | | 16:13–24:40 | The iconic 1981 Oakland A’s playoff game and big debut | | 26:54–30:50 | Debates over the Wave's invention and worldwide adoption | | 32:02–34:13 | The final A’s game in Oakland—Crazy George leads the Wave | | 34:23 | Reflection on legacy and the lasting impact |

Episode Tone and Takeaways

• Tone: Warm, humorous, self-effacing, and celebratory; the show balances nostalgia with an undercurrent of loss as the A’s leave Oakland.
• Takeaways:
  • A single, seemingly whimsical act can reverberate around the globe.
  • Legacies are shaped by both invention and the mythologies that spring up around them.
  • Crazy George’s pride in “the Wave” is about connection and communal joy, not just credit.

Final Thought

Through interviews, archival tape, and lived experience, “The Wave” episode crafts a deeply human story about the joy of participation, the unpredictability of fame, and the bittersweet nature of change. Whether you’re a baseball fan, a cheerleader at heart, or just someone who’s ever gotten swept up in a stadium moment, this episode will leave you with a renewed appreciation for the people who make sports—and life—so memorable.