'I just wanted to stand out': Winnipeg Jets fan goes viral for wearing salmon shirt at Whiteout
A Winnipeg Jets fan found a unique way to stand out amid the Winnipeg Whiteout; he wore a salmon-coloured shirt.
Jonathon Red Cloud donned the bright polo to last night’s Winnipeg Jets home playoff game against the Colorado Avalanche.
Situated dead-centre in the 120 section, Red Cloud was highly visible in his salmon polo amongst a sea of white apparel. The shirt was something he’d worn to Jets games in the past.
“I’ve actually worn this shirt to three previous Jets games, and two games in Montreal,” said Red Cloud.
The self-described ‘die-hard Winnipeg Jets fan’ lives about an hour outside of Kenora, Ont., and thought the shirt would be a good way for loved ones to spot him at the arena.
“I just wanted to stand out, and just be visible to my friends and family, and co-workers back home, because that was the best way to show myself… I thought that was pretty close to white anyway.”
Little did Red Cloud know at the time, his appearance caught the attention of the internet. Images and memes of him with his brightly coloured shirt quickly began circulating on social media.
Meantime, at the game, a chant of “Salmon shirt!” broke out from the upper deck.
“I heard something but it wasn't clear to me what was being chanted until I left the arena… They just said 'You're the salmon shirt guy,' and I said, ‘What? I don't know what you're talking about.’ And they said, 'Yeah, they were chanting your name. (They’re) chanting you’re salmon shirt guy!” said Red Cloud.
As he continued his walk outside the Canada Life Centre, Red Cloud realized he’d made quite the impression on Jets fans.
“I heard people telling me that after the game that I was famous. And people cheered me, and (were) honking their horns, and I don't know how they saw my shirt with my jacket on, but they saw me and they were honking their horns, which is pretty cool,” said Red Cloud.
Red Cloud's attendance at the game itself was also a matter of fate. He had entered a web draw to win two tickets, and as luck would have it, his number was selected.
“This guy was getting rid of two tickets,” said Red Cloud, “And I said, 'OK, well let me try that,' and clear enough my number was picked out then. And (to) the game I went.”
Although his beloved team lost the game, he doesn’t think the shirt has any ‘bad luck’ attached to it.
“I still haven’t washed it…I don’t feel like I’m jinxing them. It’s just the play on ice is what we’re watching so I don’t feel like I have a way of jinxing them at all.”
Red Cloud said he hopes to attend Game 5 next week, and if given the opportunity, he’ll certainly make sure to wear his viral tee.
“I'm gonna wear that shirt and I’ll probably add some sort of white into it just to appease the fans and the world wide web,” said Red Cloud.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
Storm-battered U.S. South is again under threat. A boy swept into a drain fights for his life
Dangerous storms crashed over parts of the U.S. South on Thursday even as the region cleaned up from earlier severe weather that spawned tornadoes, killed at least three people, and gravely injured a boy who was swept into a storm drain as he played in a flooded street.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pro-Palestinian protesters demand endowment transparency. But it's proving not to be simple
Over the last decade, students have pushed universities to cut financial ties with fossil fuel producers, weapons manufacturers, tobacco companies and prison firms. Here's why it's not always that simple.