Meditation 369
Getting the Devils out
of New Jersey
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Craig Stanley, a state assemblyman in New Jersey has tabled a resolution urging the New Jersey Devils to change their name to something less satanic. Of course this hockey team is really not directly named after Satan, but after a perhaps mythical creature which terrorized the New Jersey Pine Barrens from about 250 years ago until relatively recently
However, it is nice to see that New Jersey has no problems such as crime, poverty, urban decay and environmental degradation leaving politicians the time to concentrate on weighty matters such as the names of local sports teams. Particularly when the team in question has not played in more than a year due to a lockout of the players by the league.Stanley is reported[1] to have stated; "With most sports franchises, there is some aspect of their name that is positive or forceful. Now, I'm not saying the devil isn't a huge force - but there is absolutely nothing good or positive about the devil."
And we can all consider the good and positive in the team names of other sports franchises like Pirates, Raiders, Buccaneers, Thrashers, Hurricanes, Devil-Rays, and Raptors.
Obviously there are team names that Craig Stanley would consider good and positive such as Saints and Angels. But they are already taken.
So here is my humble suggestion should the New Jersey Devils decide to change their name in response to political pressure. I recommend they become the New Jersey Jesus Christs! With "Jesus Christs!" as the official team name, surely even Craig Stanley would have to concede the name was now positive and good?
Footnote:
- The National Post, Thursday, 2 June 2005