December 8, 2009, at 2:05 am
I don’t criticize the UFC often. I think they do a magnificent job of marekting their brand, and really are one of the best run sporting organizations in the world. However, how they let something like this slip by is just plain bad.
On Saturday’s TUF 10 Finale, newcomer Joe Brammer was sponsored by a company called Hoelzer-Reich clothing. They advertise themselves as “German Vintage” wear. Here is what the shirt that Brammer wore looked like: (Pictures are courtesy of Fightlinker, who have been all over this thing since jump street.)
It’s really nothing threatening. It’s got the colors of the German flag on it, and it has some Iron Crosses, but there are other clothing companies, including skateboarding company Independent that uses it as their logo, that uses that constantly, so it’s not that bad.
However, all you had to do was go to this company’s website (which I will not provide a link to, because I won’t support this is any way shape or form.) to see that this is a company that uses a ton of iconography from the worst set of crimes against humanity in this planet’s history. Here’s the way Fightlinker described it:
Well, they’re trying to hide the sketchy stuff as best they can – they’ve scrubbed their website to remove their sponsorship of Nazi music group Westwall and skinhead fighter Niko Puhakka, and don’t have the SS skull and ‘HoeSS’ shirt in their store now. And their Myspace page used to be littered with all sorts of interesting Nazi shit. But since the last time I checked it out, they’ve made their pictures section private and removed their comments section (probably because of all the messages I had seen before from fuckface nazis that started with ‘Heil!’, aka the fuckface nazi ‘yo’).
Moreover, just look at some of the shirts they sell! One shirt uses the symbol for the “Schutzstaffel,” also known as Hitler’s death squads, on a shirt more than five times! Hell, the companies logo is a play off the symbol! Another uses the slogan “Strength and Honor” which is a play off the Hitler Youth’s motto of “Blood and Honor.” Another one says ““Das Vierte Reich Hat Begonnen.” Loosely translated? The Fourth Reich has begun.
Jason Comack, and Alex Goldberg, two of my partners in crime on this website are both Jewish. I know that Jason’s offended, as he went as far as to Tweet at Dana White that he needs to take care of this and make sure this company is banned from the Octagon. I don’t know if Alex has seen this yet, but I’m sure that if he did, he’d be horrified. Hell, I’m not jewish at all, and I feel dirty just writing this article and even thinking about these douche bags infiltrating an area of the world that I cover.
UFC Brass, make this disappear quickly. I love MMA-style. I love the fact that the fighters can make a little extra coin by using that style. However, don’t let this company use your television time to spread their message of hate and ignorance.
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‘Strength and honour’ is actually the motto of the Roman legions, guessing that particular thing came from there and not the SS.
Reply to MirickMirick,
Fair enough. I can give you that one. However, I don’t think that you are going to find many other explanations for the SS symbols.
Reply to Anthony De FrancoYes it might be offensive. I joined the Marine Corps to support and defend the constitution of the United States. Unfortunately, the United States is now full of pansies that are offended by EVERYTHING. There is no longer freedom of expression because people like you cry about anything and everything you see as offensive. When did we become a country of such pussies?
“I would rather be exposed to the inconvenience attending too much Liberty than those attending too small degree of it.” Thomas Jefferson
Reply to Kevin StutzmanKevin,
First off, the entire MMA community was offended.
Second, even if you are a marine, you can’t tell me that there isn’t a whole generation of former marines and army men who would be enraged by watching symbols of the evil they helped defeat broadcast on cable television.
I’m not against freedom of speech. Moreover, anyone who knows me will tell you how annoyed I am by the political correctness of most people. However, I am against a company that encourages hatred and lack of understanding.
It actually goes even further than that. There are plenty of people in this country who still consider MMA a bloodsport. What message are we sending them if we allow this bullshit into the sport?
So, there you have it. While I respect your opinion, and the work you did as a marine, I find it hard to believe that there are many out there who agree with you.
Reply to Anthony De FrancoWell Said.
Reply to Matt Soldano