The Crusader Newspaper Group

Harlem Globetrotters star Nathaniel  “Big Easy” Lofton reflects on his time as co-host of the 2019 Chicago Midwest Emmy Awards Show

By Joseph Phillips
Sports Writer

Known as the most prominent name on the Harlem Globetrotters 2019 basketball roster, Nathaniel Lofton, also known as ‘Big Easy,’ co-hosted the 2019 Chicago Midwest Emmy Awards Show in the month of November (November 15).

Lofton, along with several of his teammates, performed during the awards ceremony show, in a special tribute to the Globetrotters and the city of Chicago.

“It’s like being a superhero,” said Lofton about the significance of being a Globetrotter. “It’s fun. You get to travel and you are always the home team.”

Lofton said in honor of the Globetrotters 94-year history, the group paid homage to its team’s original owner Abe Saperstein, who at 24, founded the organization in Chicago back in 1926.

According to Globetrotters history, the original team was called the “Savoy Big Five.” Named after the Chicago famous “Savoy Ballroom,” where they played many of their games throughout the decades.

Lofton also stated he earned his nickname “Big Easy” growing up in the streets of New Orleans and for his easy-going attitude among family and friends.

Lofton also believes that this same easy going trait helped him enjoy his three runs on the hit TV show  “The Amazing Race.”

Lofton, aka “Big Easy,” along with his partner, finished as high as second place during the TV show.

With a immense sense of humor and ability to make people laugh, Lofton has also dubbed himself “the self-proclaimed: best-looking player on the team.”

As the self-proclaimed: best-looking player on the team, Lofton is no stranger to the camera. He has appeared on several television shows and sitcoms which includes; Disney XD’s “Kickin’ It,” “Cupcake Wars,” “The Price is Right,” “Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader,” “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” and Nickelodeon’s “Mutt & Stuff.”

Since becoming a Globetrotter in the 2000’s, Lofton has traveled the world – visiting over 90 countries, including all 50 states in the U.S.

In addition to traveling the world, Lofton is also a world record holder, owning both the Guinness Book World Records for the farthest basketball hook shot (72 feet 6.25 inches) and the farthest blindfolded basketball hook shot (58 feet, 2.5 inches).

A two-time All-Southland Conference selection, as a senior at Southeastern Louisiana University, Lofton led the team in blocks, steals, rebounds and assists.

During his two seasons at SLU, Lofton also won consecutive conference titles and led his team to its first-ever NCAA tournament appearance in 2005.

Lofton, aka Big Easy,  was also named to the Southland Conference All-Decade Team for the 2000s and was inducted into the Southeastern Louisiana University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013.

The Harlem Globetrotters are an exhibition basketball team. They combine athleticism, theater, and comedy in their style of play. Over the years, they have played more than 26,000 exhibition games in 124 countries and territories. The team’s signature song is Brother Bones’ whistled version of “Sweet Georgia Brown.”

Recent News

Scroll to Top