TIL that the name ‘Devils’ was selected by a fan poll in 1982. Other potential names that got fewer votes: Americans, Blades, Colonials, Lightning, Meadowlarks and Meadowlanders, Coastals, Generals, Gulls, Jaguars, Patriots
by esreveReverse
@New Jersey Devils
10 Comments
Yes and when it was selected they approached the clergy of different faiths to see if they had issues. What most people don’t understand is that the name “New Jersey Devils” is based on Leeds Devil which is a cryptid not the biblical devil. Most people just call us “The Devils” and leave off the New Jersey part. But, here context is everything.
I like weird names and kinda wish we used the Colonials or Coastals.
The right choice was made.
Devils is the perfect name. I love when teams use a name that has some real relevance to the state beneath the service like Devils does with the NJ Devil myth. Kinda like how the Baltimore Ravens are named after former resident Edgar Allan Poe’s famous poem.
“Devils” is the best mascot in professional sports because it’s 1. unique 2. sounds cool on it’s own and 3. has a connection to local history and folklore. All the other options sound like ECHL or arena football team names.
Also regarding the Devil imagery, my elementary school principal was a Felician nun who went to games in her habit with a priest who was a fan. We had a picture of her wearing red horns and a Devils jersey over her habit back in the day.
Thanks god it wasn’t the patriots.
Psssht, “Lightning.” Like that’s a good name for an NHL team.
The funny thing is the leeds devil and the ‘biblical devil’ don’t actually exist. So having a cartoon devil really shouldn’t offend anyone unless they’re the sheltered, needtogettheirheadchecked type
It’s the best name in sports
Meadowlarks would have been pretty funny