This guy needs to get a life!

[Guest Marcelo Cordoba]

Devils Steaming Over Criticism of Name

By ANGELA DELLI SANTI, Associated Press Writer

Sun May 29,12:43 PM ET

What chance do the New Jersey Devils give a proposal that would give the pro hockey franchise a less demonic name? Think hell freezing over.

"I can assure you the Devils name will never change, and I think there are more important things to be thinking about than something that will never happen," team CEO Lou Lamoriello said. "It's who we are and what we want to be."

State Assemblyman Craig Stanley is taking issue with a satanic symbol representing the state's National Hockey League team, which has won three Stanley Cup championships.

"This is an age where symbolism is very important," said Stanley, a Baptist deacon whose resolution to rename the team is to be introduced in the Assembly next month. A new name would be chosen in a statewide competition.

Stanley's legislative district includes parts of Newark, where the Devils are scheduled to move into a $310 million, 18,000-seat downtown arena in September 2007, from the Meadowlands sports complex in East Rutherford.

"I've always cringed when people say they're going to see the Devils," said Stanley. "The merchandise, the paraphernalia is based on the actual demonic devil. Personally, it causes a little bit of an issue with me."

The team's mascot is red, cartoonish figure with horns and a goatee.

However, the team's name, chosen in a 1982 fan contest, comes from the mythical Jersey Devil, not the Christian symbol of the antichrist, according to Weird N.J., a travel guide to the state's most offbeat attractions.

The mythical Jersey Devil — with bat-like wings, a forked tail and oversized claws — was said to terrorize Pine Barrens dwellers in the 18th-century after being born the 13th child to poor South Jerseyans and morphing into a dinosaur-like beast.

Acting Gov. Richard J. Codey agrees that the name should stay as is. Team owner Jeff Vanderbeek gave the proposal a less-than-enthusiastic reception.

"He's hellbent on keeping the Devils name," Stanley said.

[EBondo 233]

Wow...he does need to get one, although I do believe in the Jersey Devil. Always have, always will

[LkptTiger 1]

Good Lord. These conservatives now-a-days drive me nuts: they can't make a meaningful difference in the world, so they decide to take offense to things, names and traditions that have never really hurt or upset anybody else.

The people who complain about Freedom of Religion really get to me, too. Now, I can't say that I am a religious person; Hell, I can't even say I believe in the existance of a "Superior Being." BUT, I'm not going around complaining about the fact that my classmates and I recite the Pledge every morning because of the mention of your "God." Christianity is the belief system under which this country was founded (yes, I realize that the U.S. has had and is still making efforts to avoid establishing an "Official Religion," but c'mon...). As a young, patriotic teenager, I feel it is my duty to honor the beliefs of the people who fought for our freedom.

[kosydar 0]

Devils is offensive, but Red Skins isn't?

[EBondo 233]

Devils is offensive, but Red Skins isn't?

truuuue. wasnt there a controversy about that before?

oh yeah, in a related story, Green Bay is quarreling with Grambling State over the G oval...

[thunderbirds_are_go 0]

...and in related news the worshippers of the Norse god Thor have objected to the name of the NHL's Tampa Bay franchise, as they claim this is a religious symbol for them, and such use is blasphemy. They have joined with Amsemblyman Stanley in a call for renaming in the NHL, and have proposed an awareness game to be staged between the soon-to-be-named New Jersey Fuzzy Wuzzy Bunnies and the Tampa Bay Poodles.....

[EBondo 233]

haha

[Drewhunz 3]

Hey Marcelo- are you a FARK fan also?

[lecavalier 0]

I have to admit,it sorta pisses me off when people trouble themselves with something that has nothing to do with them or when it's something you know no one is gonna give a crap.Those kinds of people are usually the stubborn,self-centered idiots who look for things to complain about.This guy fits in this category perfectly...how long has new Jersey had their name for?He comes out of the blue and complains about it...

[twistoffate19 0]

All I gotta say is I respect free choice/speech......but stop trying to shove your f***ing beliefs down people's throats. I hate people like that guy. He's probably some 50 year old man forced into retirement so he's gonna take it out on something people in that state love.

[Chadd 916]

He's a politician and a Baptist Deacon using his personal religious beliefs as a reason to enact a law. How can anyone be surprised given the current political climate?

[hocckey77 0]

A lot of Catholic colleges have mascots that are devilish in a sort. DuPaul Blue Demons/ Duke Blue Devils, I haven't heard any complaints recently.

[seanmccann 3]

Thats very funny.

[Tanner23 0]

Theres alot worse names out there than the devils like redskins or indians if it offends you dont watch

[hip check 0]

Wake Forset has the Demon Deacons - how much worse could it get?

I think it's fine that they name teams after nationalities and supernatural beings know for their strength, ferocity and power. It's part of the imagery of sport. It's certainly better than being named after a bunch of politicians (ie Senators. Yes, I realize the history of the name...) or a colour (Blues, Reds, etc.).

[#1STUD 0]

Wake Forset has the Demon Deacons - how much worse could it get?

I think it's fine that they name teams after nationalities and supernatural beings know for their strength, ferocity and power. It's part of the imagery of sport. It's certainly better than being named after a bunch of politicians (ie Senators. Yes, I realize the history of the name...) or a colour (Blues, Reds, etc.).

If your talking about the St. Louis Blues in your last sentence they are not named after a color. They are named after the music. The Blues(music) has a rich history in St. Louis. Hence why the hockey team is named after it.

[Fury of One 6]

This guy seriously needs to find something better to do than complaining about the name. I'm from Jersey and Newark ain't one of the nicest cities. I'm sure there are a lot bigger problems in the city he can worry about than the Devils' name.

[kevinbelt 0]

it would be one thing if the devil in question were indeed satan. that's what pisses me off so much - the jersey devil is a well-known urban myth that has nothing to do with anything christian. i've always thought it was one of the more clever names in the league, along with blues. charlotte hornets was a good one in basketball, too, before they moved.

i'd call this guy retarded, but i don't want to ruin the good name of people with down syndrome.

-k

[chippa13 1844]

Doesn't he know that the New Jersey Devil is a local legend of a creature once believed to live in the New Jersey woods.

[Duder84 0]

It kinda makes you wonder how he became a politician when he doesnt even seems to know his own area or the history behind it....

[stevoc 0]

What's next, the tazmanian devil needs a name change???

please....

[Chadd 916]

What's next, the tazmanian devil needs a name change???

please....

NEXT UP: The tufted titmouse. I mean come on, should poor little elementary school kids have to hear such a vulgar thing?

[RadioGaGa 162]

I've always hoped that Miroslav Satan will end up in NJ...just so they papers can run the headline:

"Satan Now a Devil"

[Bruin88 0]

I've always hoped that Miroslav Satan will end up in NJ...just so they papers can run the headline:

"Satan Now a Devil"

hahaha thats too funny. this post reminds me of that episode of seinfeld where putty paints his face for the ny vs nj games and a priest almost hits him in his car after the game so he starts shouting stuff about the devils

[colonials22 0]

This guy seriously needs to find something better to do than complaining about the name. I'm from Jersey and Newark ain't one of the nicest cities. I'm sure there are a lot bigger problems in the city he can worry about than the Devils' name.

ALOT bigger problems