Figure skater Jason Brown forges new path in sport that made him a star

Whether or not you are a fan of figure skating, you might have heard of Jason Brown, a two-time Olympian and national champion, who grew up in Highland Park. He's now making his mark in the sport in a new way.

[@cak813]

Jason brings skating back to the days when the sport was not all about the jumps. He reminds us of the artistry and the finesse as well as the athleticism and he tells a story on the ice. He’s one of my favorite skaters. And - yes - I can remember watching his “Riverdance” routine when he did it in competition for the first time and I was spellbound. I still enjoy watching it.

[@vernonfrance2974]

@cak813 Don't get me wrong. If he's just naturally like that I suppose there is nothing he can or should do about. He's not going out of his way to attract attention with his wardrobe as Johnny Weir is won't to do. I liked the original "Irish Jiggers" who did "Riverdance" but never saw Jason do it on the ice. I'll see if I can locate a video of it. Thanks.

[@vernonfrance2974]

@cak813 I watched his Riverdance 2014 routine kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKTIn2WQgtyKitE and it was quite original and must have required a great deal of stamina. He got a standing "O" and that was not just because he was a wearin' o' the green. Great performance!

[@cak813]

@@vernonfrance2974 Jason’s Riverdance routine is easily found in You Tube. And while costumes can add to a routine, in the end it’s about the skating. Jamie Salé and David Pelletier had extremely simple costumes for their Olympic gold medal “Love Story” routine in 2002.

[@vernonfrance2974]

@cak813 He wants to bring it to that, but he will fail.

[@annamirzajanczy8929]

Spellbound is such a great interpretation. I hope stars on ice or better features Jason as the true wizard he is 🖤

[@1079walter]

The most beautiful skater I've ever seen in my 82 years on this planet. Not a Nathan Chen, athletically, of course, but a force and picture of delight on his own. I wish him the best on his new road to even greater success.

[@jlcmsw]

Jason will be remembered and praised decades from now. He’s that extraordinary.

[@1105pitbull]

I hope Jason now knows just how beautiful his skating is. He has taken his artistry to a highest level.

[@tigergreg8]

What must be really tough as an Olympian, is, just one mistake can take all that training away from you so quickly. He's obviously always going to be in the top 3-4 best male figure skaters of all time. Who can say that about anything they do. He seems like a really nice person, and those who train with him are so fortunate to have him. I wish him well in life.

[@emilymanhart368]

If you want to see proof of Jason's impact on the sport, watch some of the Junior Grand Prix competitors. Artistry is very much as important as the big jumps. THANK YOU to Jason for all he does.

[@pennimoore3834]

Jason is one of a kind. He is one of the greatest skaters of all time thus far!

[@Readit4Life_2Chron7_14]

My heart sank a little when I heard him say he felt, "worthless?" No see, "Worthless --Jason" is an oxymoron. Cognitive dissonance personified. Jason, you ARE gold, silk & elegance woven into a eye-pleasing beautiful tapestry of artistic fluid glass flowing into our minds & souls. Bring us back there, where Ice skating excellence is expressive, flowing, grounded on ice in a way that all our senses can be aroused, entertained & suspended in a moment time. Thank you and continue to be the change that you want to see. Blessings.

[@canyoubelieve2167]

I get chills when he skates. One of the best artists ever to grace this sport. His River Dance performance was incredible!!

[@vernonfrance2974]

[@nbenefiel]

I first saw him doing Riverdance. I fell in love.

[@pamelawing5747]

I was getting to the point of not enjoying watching skating anymore, it was just jumps, jumps, jumps. I love the artistry AND that is NOT easy.

[@sandrasykes3026]

Every time I 👁👁 Jason skate to Riverdance, I cry. It was the most beautiful performance I’ve ever seen! Jason is SO special to the sport!

[@sarahbass6116]

Jason brown is a LEGEND.

[@ingrid4587]

💯👊🙌

[@sywillis62]

Point blank period one of the most artistic authentic skaters there ever was!

[@gyufrtsgftrs436jjg]

I adore him so much - his talent is such a gift ❤⛸️

[@gingerale9138]

He is one of the greatest that America has even without the Quad jump. ❤❤❤❤❤ him

[@topazgirl170]

A longtime fan of figure skating and of Jason. He's one of the top all time great skaters in skating. Jason is admired and loved by coaches, fans, and fellow competitors.

[@ArohaStill]

The sound of his blades is pure beauty

[@carpenterabc]

Now, that I have to take my grand daughter to ice skating lessons before she even starts school, makes me marvel at the dedication and effort that has to be put in just to skate good ...and then to become an olympian, that amount of work and training puts most sports out of business!!!!

[@fbueller]

And the expense!

[@elliebellie7816]

The most underscored underappreciated skaters of all time.

[@Clockworkcityofpain]

I know people are in love with quads and with skaters who can squeeze many of them in a program, but Jason is by far my favorite US skater. His artistry on the ice has no comparison and he really is pushing the sport artistically. I really hope to have the opportunity to see him in a show some day

[@vernonfrance2974]

@Clockworkcityofpain Artistry is not as athletic.

[@eileenmcdonald1599]

Boy you are not very bright. And obviously do not pay attention.

[@Kaydee815]

I feel like Shania Twain when it comes to the quad obsession-- it just don't impress me much!

[@jensmithe3624]

Triple or Quade really what is the difference? It is the transitions in skating that make it unique.

[@vernonfrance2974]

@jensmithe3624 It's just that triples and quads separate the goats from the sheep.

[@LostintheTwilightZone]

​@@vernonfrance2974you're ignorant......

[@patriciapowell6047]

@@vernonfrance2974 Not really

[@eileenmcdonald1599]

You are clueless

[@lynnmanning2795]

😂your performance has a new look! I have been a true fan since the 50's, so i can see a talent like no others! SKATE ON JASON,the world is watching!

[@Jude74]

He is very important to skating, because even though he doesn’t have the technical elements aka quad jumps he has everything else and I mean that. Everything else being better than everybody else.

[@melodied4314]

Always the crowd favorite.

[@tototoo82]

I wish more skaters focused on artistry instead of jumps.

[@robrechtwithG]

Jason engages with the quintessence of figure skating that goes beyond measurements, technical bragging and any titles!

[@kylerobin6718]

International judges do respect Jason and show that in component scores; component scores are incredibly subjective and that's where additional points can be earned.

[@vernonfrance2974]

@kylerobin6718 @kylerobin6718 It's like with body building. Definition is preferred over aesthetic beauty.

[@Evilene52]

But they still underscore him in component or mark someone who we all know isn't on his level with the same component score, and in some cases higher. I rooted for Nathan Chen because of his athletic prowess but they would score him on the same level as Jason in component marks. It just made me want to distance myself from the sport that I love so much and turned me into a casual observer unless Jason was skating. Over 50 years of following the sport that I loved so much and watching it turn into a jump fest was so painful. Fortunately, we are beginning to see artistry come back on the junior level which I pray holds up once they move to seniors.

[@rjensen2586]

He's such a beautiful skater. He seems like he's a beautiful human too. ❤

[@LBElbee]

My mother used to travel with team USA as a doctor, and got to become pretty good friends with Jason so I can confirm, he is a beautiful human being

[@patricializotte3470]

His beauty and detail are amazing, and he’s always a crowd favorite!

[@wendybonvechio175]

One of the most graceful artistic skaters ever ❤

[@cydkriletich6538]

So glad to see the importance of artistry returning to figure skating. For a while there it seemed as if all the skaters could do was work up to and prepare for all sorts of “axels” … jump spin, jump spin, jump spin, etc., etc. They didn’t have time for artistry; all their effort and power went into the jumps and rotations. I found figure skating to be very uninspired then, and actually lost interest in watching it. Thanks, Jason!

[@MM-co4lf]

Wonderful skater!

[@jt98116]

Far and away the most brilliant artistic skater of the past 50 years. Jason is legendary.

[@marjoriecoey3418]

He is wonderful but Zuzuru Hanyu is incredible also.

[@patriciapowell6047]

@@marjoriecoey3418 No ne said he wasn't

[@tatteredquilt]

I started skating when Janet Lynn was the hometown celebrity, and often saw her at the rink. Jason's skating keeps up the artistry of Janet Lynn, and the era of figure skating as being as much artistry as athleticism. Doing a quad isn't special anymore. But the artistry (and yes, the incredible and iconic Riverdance is a huge piece of that) that Jason continues to expand is very special.

[@krpzsvrm]

After yuzu my fav skater has always been jason and will be

[@Kumiko.nosuke]

yuzuru no1 jason no 2⛸️✌️

[@LBElbee]

If you have Disney+, there is a recorded ice show of sorts, but it’s just yuzuru. I personally think it’s a little dumb looking but to each their own

[@rosaliewright4226]

I REALLY enjoyed this programming and support for this marvelous, inspiring young man. He is so right, brave, and HIMSELF, to bring the performance aspect of skating, the emotion and storytelling and enjoyment of doing it and watching it, coupled with superb technique, to all of us. I love the joy in him, and the courage, and the heart of him!❤️

[@mothersgauri4137]

Wonderful !!!!

[@mskytube]

THIS is what I look for when I watch figure skating! I'm not a fan of ice "jumping". Give me artistry!

[@dannyboy1990]

Jason Brown and Sasha Cohen are my all time favourite skaters. They are just SO special. In terms of artistry, musicality, expression, and feeling, to me they are unmatched. Love them to bits.

[@ConniePretula]

Toller Cranston was performing like this in the 70s, he brought art to skating but was really never taken seriously. It is great to see all these years later that is being encouraged.

[@dawnbutler9649]

Love to watch Jason! I never want to look away. His 2022 Olympic programs were great and I thought better than the top 3. It is all about the jumps but honestly, after a triple, I can't really see a quad. And after each trick, which all seem to be the same, they don't really connect the moves, they just flap their arms til the next jump. I been watching amateur and professional skating since I was 16. Honestly, it became boring to me once the quest for the quad was the focus and artistry. I don't care for the scoring system... Well, I don't like seeing it on screen... It is a checklist of what skaters are planning. Can't the judges just watch without knowing what is coming? Score what they see? I mean, I always found it exciting to watch skaters miss a trick, then come back later in program and throw it in and do it great. That is true skill to figure out where to put it in and keep the program on point. There are so many missing elements these days.

[@brendastevens9077]

Love You Jason!!🤗❤️

[@ingrid4587]

Jason will be a grate choreographer one day !❤💯🚀

[@krpzsvrm]

Definitely agree with you!!

[@williamverlaber3984]

What type of cheese will he work with?

[@ingrid4587]

@@williamverlaber3984 Ivan-deek had:go back to your cage 🦨

[@michaeloliveri7687]

A true artist in every way!!

[@annamirzajanczy8929]

Yes don't try and copy. Forge ahead with your own strengths and you might even resemble parts of the ... one and only Jason brown, whom I personally know from my figure skating ⛸️ days to be one of kindest, most athletic amazing people I have ever met. His remarkable ability, performance, presentation and so much more open our eyes to excellence. You go Jason. Always 💜💜💜 🖤

[@cometasporelcielo]

his riverdance show is everything

[@vernonfrance2974]

@cometasporelcielo @cometasporelcielo He is just not cut out for Olympic style skating. That in no way means he is not verrry "speeeshul."

[@LostintheTwilightZone]

​@@vernonfrance2974you don't understand how difficult those artistic movements are.....the deep knees, the curves on the ice, the flexibility.......the balance....it is much harder than you can imagine......even other skaters have said it is just as difficult as jumping .......it is just a different kind of difficulty........

[@vernonfrance2974]

@@LostintheTwilightZone I agree and I am not complaining about it but it is like comparing two different sports. One emphasizes leaps and the other doesn't. For now, the former is the standard for International Competition.

[@vernonfrance2974]

@@LostintheTwilightZone I agree. I'm sure you are right that they are difficult but just as figure skating no longer credits the tracing of figures on the ice, it has gone on to what some consider valuing the performance of leaps and bounds rather than more aesthetically pleasing glides, whirls, twirls and what some may think represents movements that are suitable to girlish girls. So far, the leapers hold sway with the international judging panels scoring evaluations. To their credit, IMO, they have not allowed the backward flips that I believe look very awkward.

[@sharonmiddelchylde2638]

I hope Jason knows how incredibly more enjoyable he is to watch than a skater just doing quads. It makes my heart sing to watch him.

[@kmwwrench]

I've always loved his skating which truly shows the art rather than all the jumpy fireworks that don't necessarily add to the beauty of the sport.

[@naturalPaths]

This perform/compete concept was first seen, in my [dim] memory during a Very short (before Jason Brown was ‘a thing) period in which ‘professional Olympic eligible’ competitors competed in IMPROV. It was Wonderful. It was short lived. I’ve wondered why it was short lived. As the years passed, and I grew jaded, I figured it was down to that power/money/ (base line) jobs thing. Heck, if a pro could throw it down in the moment? .. who needed choreographers? Greed had to be a factor> Skaters, fab or not, learned ‘how to do it’ from the folks who taught them. There is Always room for that. I hope Jason’s approach will help bridge that unnecessary gap.

[@ingrid4587]

Exactly:every of his program is In history of Figure Skating book Forever !🇺🇸🚀🔥

[@karencollins2661]

I could watch Jason skate all day long and could care less if he ever does a quad. His footwork and lines and personality does it for me.

[@marilynmourdock3688]

I would love to see him skate to Singin' in the Rain

[@annfarnell1642]

Love his skating!

[@Unclejojo330]

Way to go Jason you are fabulous 👍❤️

[@mr.balloffur]

He's amazing!

[@nbenefiel]

Jason is the most beautiful skater there is.

[@janmitchell641]

This reminds me of Canada’s Toller Cranston, whose artistry was under appreciated.

[@kevinphillips150]

Enjoying what you are doing versus having to do something might be the edge needed to reach the top.

[@mammac4333]

Jason is magical! If only the sport could realize that his artistry is what the sport should be… since the implementation of the point system (brought on by the Russian cheating)..the sport is all about jumping… it is no longer “figure” skating…it is jump skating…under the 6.0 judging system I’m sure Jason would have been an Olympic Champion…in my opinion he is the best true “figure “ skater in his competitive era!

[@vickilindberg6336]

Skating is not a cheap sport. It's reasonable to want to get some financial return on a life's investment before something like injury happens.

[@Kaydee815]

Jason is a reminder of what skating should be. The sport has been skewed toward the power jumpers. I find nothing appealing about them. Give me the artistry that Jason brings--it reminds me of Brian Boitano, Brian Orser, Christopher Bowman, and the others who skated in the decades before who could throw in gorgeous jumps and beautiful storytelling.

[@moma-b]

5:24 I don't think these people at the end of the video really know the subject they are talking about and it shows.

[@AMAskating]

🥰

[@WaymakerOracle]

He's good but not hypnotic. Nathan Chen and yuzuru take it all the way!

[@eileenmcdonald1599]

Then you really have never paid attention. All 3 very different unique skaters. Nathan would be the first to tell you that

[@ericachang4752]

Nathan Chen and yuzuru were overscored.

[@Sushi2735]

I have never heard of him. So he didn’t stick in my mind from the Olympics. Sorry………… A little too prancey for my taste!

[@eileenmcdonald1599]

Rather bitchy aren't you.

[@rosaliewright4226]

If you don’t see it in him, you’re missing something pretty obvious, dear.

[@fairamir1]

Star ? nope.

[@eileenmcdonald1599]

Lot more a star then you will ever be.

[@ingrid4587]

He is truly 🚀🔥👊

[@jerrydell]

Its a what rhymes with maggot.

[@aintnoway3124]

Homophobia is pretty cringe nowadays fam. Bro thinks he's funny. Middle school ahh joke.

[@ArohaStill]

Wow, someone's parents failed to raise them to be human.

[@sarahbass6116]

Just jealous bro. You probably wish you had half his talent

[@darryndizon2794]

@@sarahbass6116talentless people make me laugh fr

[@Jeremy-wp4yh]

You're watching figure skating. I think the call is coming from inside the house