Devils unveil third jerseys designed by Martin Brodeur, and the internet has thoughts
It might appear as the sort of self-deprecating marketing ploy commonly employed by a no-name brand, but those new jerseys and uniforms linked to the New Jersey Devils are, in fact, real.
The organization unveiled its new basic and exceedingly meme-able look on Tuesday morning after the JERSEY first leaked over the weekend:
Here's a closer look:
The state. The people. The next era.#NJDevils | #MadeinJersey pic.twitter.com/AcjSOK5A3q
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) November 23, 2021
As you heard, and strangely enough, the jerseys were "crafted by the GOAT," meaning that franchise legend and team executive Martin Brodeur was heavily involved in the design and had a hand in choosing no more and no less than 21 white stripes (one per county, they say) on a mostly-black canvas.
According to ESPN's Greg Wyshynski, Brodeur and the team's senior vice president of marketing, Jillian Frechette, were the "driving forces" behind the organization's first-ever official third jersey.
Rooted in Garden State hockey history. Forged for the future. #NJDevils | #MadeInJersey pic.twitter.com/5qj1eE8X7A
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) November 23, 2021
"Marty's fingerprints on this jersey are critically important," Frechette told Wyshynski.
Brodeur and the Devils are exceedingly proud of the design, but Twitter is having a field day — as it has since the threads were leaked several days ago — creating photoshops and getting jokes off at an impressively high rate.
Here's a sampling of the creative and mildly scathing commentary, of which aren't exclusively variations of: "but where are the PANTS!?":
Excited to announce that the 2022 Team Cards were designed with help from none other than Devils legend Martin Brodeur: pic.twitter.com/ZoTubZyuPC
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) November 23, 2021
New Jersey Devils: “Hey can I borrow you’re homework?”
Chicago Blackhawks: “Yeah just change it up a bit so it’s not obvious you copied” pic.twitter.com/0Ukk6SRacF— Devils Army Blog (@DevilsArmyBlog) November 20, 2021
the nj devils alternate has leaked (did anyone make this joke yet i just woke up from a nap) pic.twitter.com/pUZgjfmIcH
— knox (@showponyboyx) November 20, 2021
When Devils fans see the jersey pic.twitter.com/Q5TF6X6aBi
— Paul Ross (@RealPaulRoss) November 23, 2021
canadians may find the new jersey devil’s alternates somewhat familiar pic.twitter.com/XijXXAK2Vu
— mitch marney (@marnylandersen) November 21, 2021
Guy 1: What’s our criteria?
Guy 2: Fans want an all-black jersey.
Guy 1: What’s our team called again?
Guy 2: The Devils.
Guy 1: Oo, that’s got potential. What are you thinking?
Guy 2: Like 46 white lines and cursive writing.
Guy 1: Just “Devils” in cursive?
Guy 2: No, no. https://t.co/JtDgpLGzeo— Steve “Dangle” Glynn (@Steve_Dangle) November 23, 2021
along with the new jersey "jersey" jersey, the @NJDevils will be releasing exclusive merch! #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/KuuKt9VVoL
— xavier (@dicnowder) November 20, 2021
It will be awhile before we find out what sort of optical illusion is created from all those stripes at game speed as the jerseys won't be worn until next season, which marks the franchise's 40-year anniversary.
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