Richard Branson Becomes a Human Bowling Ball During Basketball Game (and Cannot Contain His Excitement): Watch!

Businessman is currently in Chicago for the launch of the first Virgin Hotel

By Alyssa Toomey Apr 16, 2015 5:18 PMTags

What happens when Richard Branson comes to a #Bulls game

Posted by Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Talk about an epic day off!

Billionaire Richard Branson is currently in Chicago for the opening of his very first Virgin Hotel, but on Wednesday evening, the 68-year-old businessman opted for a little less work and a little more play when he attended the Chicago Bulls game against the Atlanta Hawks. 

During the third quarter, Branson became a human bowling ball (and couldn't contain his excitement), allowing mascot Benny the Bull to place him in a life-size sling shot before he was flung across the court to try and knock down bowling pins. 

AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

"Then, at the end of the third quarter, the larger than life mascot Benny The Bull set up a human slingshot on the court. Suddenly, Benny pulled me out of my seat and ushered me into the slingshot," Branson wrote in a blog post, following the game. "He offered me a helmet but I (perhaps unwisely!) declined. 

"Four people grabbed hold of ropes attached to my makeshift human slingshot," he continued. "And I found myself catapulted into a giant set of bowling pins!" 

AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

Making the moment even better was the fact that Branson was sporting a shirt which read "Let's Play Hooky Chicago," and he couldn't seem to contain his excitement, grinning like a little kid on Christmas as he flung his body into the giant pins (he knocked down two out of six). 

Meanwhile, Branson is still in the Windy City and is encouraging all Chicagoans to meet him outside the new Virgin Hotel today. 

Wonder what surprises he has in store?!