Can't Help But Think The Columbus Blue Jackets (Named After The Union Army) Opting To Unveil Grey Uniforms Was a Bit of An Oversight
Hmmm... Is this making something out of nothing? Yes, probably so. But is it harmless enough that we can at least joke about how it's a little stupid for the Columbus Blue Jackets to wear grey uniforms when their nickname is meant to honor Ohio's history during the Civil War (i.e. the Union Army)... specifically because of Columbus' role as a major manufacturer of Union Army uniforms (the blue ones). If we can't poke fun and have a laugh at that, then what's the point of any of this? What's the point of this website?
I've loosely cheered for the Blue Jackets ever since they became Ohio's first NHL franchise. The city of Columbus loves to rally around hockey. It's a fun place to have a team... when the Blue Jackets are winning. Unfortunately, that's almost never. In 26 seasons, they've made the playoffs only 6 times. And it feels like less than that. But that's aside from the point. After 26 years of living mostly in Ohio, going to Blue Jackets games, and being tangentially aware of what's happening in Blue Jackets land at all times, I still have to look up "Where does the Blue Jackets nickname come from?" every time I think about it.
It's the Blue Jackets' fault. Sometimes I think the organization doesn't even know what their nickname is about. Because from the very start of the franchise, their mascot has been a bee named Stinger. Yellow jackets are basically bees. So when the mascot is a bee and the team is called the Blue Jackets, one can only assume the nickname is about a fictional blue-leaning version of some bumblebee or hornet-esque creature.
But that's not the case. I mean, as you can see, the mascot is a bee named Stinger. But as Google will tell you, the Blue Jackets' nickname stems from something else entirely. It's from the Civil War.
NHL – The name was selected because it pays homage to Ohio’s contributions to American history and the great pride and patriotism exhibited by its citizens, especially during the Civil War as both the state of Ohio and the city of Columbus were significantly influential on the Union Army. Ohio contributed more of its population to the Union Army than any other state, while many of the blue coats worn by the Union soldiers were manufactured in Columbus.
That's the problem when your nickname is so… versatile. When it can take on multiple different meanings, you sometimes forget that you're first and foremost named after the Union Army. So when the genesis of your nickname is to honor the Blue Team, because Ohio contributed so many soldiers to the cause, and most of them wore blue jackets manufactured in Columbus… you see the irony. Wearing all-grey uniforms is like the one thing they have to avoid. That and a Raid sponsorship.
I don't want to make this a political or "moral" thing, but the Cincinnati Reds don't wear blue. The Milwaukee Brewers don't have wine-themed alternates. The Devils don't wear Jesus sweaters. The Tampa Bay Rays would never host a Steve Irwin night. That's the enemy. If your team is named after something with a clear and obvious enemy… well shit… idk… at least play the part a little bit.
Whatever. I'm sure some Union Soldiers wore grey from time to time. Surely soldiers' uniforms got lost in the heat of battle, and they were forced to improvise. But I have to think after the Blue Jackets dropped these bad boys, and the tweets started rolling in…
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Someone in the organization thought, "Fuck… we didn't think about that."
They really should have, though. They have cannons all over their jerseys and merch. They fire one off multiple times a game.
That's not a bee cannon. But motherfucking Stinger muddied the waters. Now the Blue Jackets will be playing a handful of games this year for the Confederacy. Whatever. Columbus is 12 games into the season, and already dead last in the conference. Maybe rebel greys are what they need to turn the franchise around.
Giphy Images.