‘Death logo’ intended to inspire, not offend, Jets say

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This article was published 11/04/2018 (2761 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Jets unveiled a new locker-room logo this morning and while it is intended to inspire the players during the Stanley Cup playoffs, it also raised a few eyebrows following Wednesday’s morning skate in advance of tonight’s Western Conference quarter-final Game 1 with the Minnesota Wild at Bell MTS Place.

The logo features a skull and airplane wings, with the words ‘Drivers wanted’ above the picture and ‘Death from above’ below it.

“The ‘drivers’ is kind of a term we coined in practice every day when we show up and sometimes we’re tired… ‘drivers wanted’ — we want drivers showing up at the rink every day,” said injured centre Matt Hendricks, who inspired the slogan and logo.

“The picture is just something we thought was super-cool — the skull and the Jet helmet and the wings. And then since we’re Jets, death from above is kind of, I thought it was pretty neat. That’s what it means.”

Hendricks was asked if, given the Humboldt Broncos tragedy last Friday, there is a concern some people might find the message insensitive.

“It has nothing to do with that. So, I apologize if it’s insensitive,” he said. “In my opinion, you should be able to look at it and see what it stands for. It has nothing to do with anything other than the guys in this room.”

Asked what he would say to anyone who might think the death message is inappropriate, Jets coach Paul Maurice said that would be a clear misinterpretation of the message.