Habs fan sells tickets, includes 'bags of shame'
Philippe Meilleur says paper bags offer ‘complete anonymity’ to fans watching from the Bell Centre stands
Montrealer Philippe Meilleur can't make it to the Bell Centre for an upcoming Habs game, so he came up with a deal for anyone who wants to take his place.
The bags of shame are cut out at the eyes, which allow you to witness the lamentable collapse of the Glorieux in complete anonymity.- Philippe Meilleur
He posted an ad on Kijiji where he's selling his two Montreal Canadiens tickets for $125. And he's throwing in complementary brown paper "bags of shame."
"Are you ashamed to be a Canadiens fan during this time when the club could probably be beat by your garage league's C Division, but still want to be there to watch a defeat during the regular season? This is the offer for you!" the ad reads.
"The bags of shame are cut out at the eyes, which allow you to witness the lamentable collapse of the Glorieux in complete anonymity."
In an interview, Meilleur said if he were able to use the tickets himself, he would have worn a bag over his head from his seat in the stands.
"It's too bad I can't make the statement that I would have wanted to in order to show my sadness. So my solution was to sell them and tell the person, 'Here do this in my place. Take these bags and wear them over your heads for me,'" said Meilleur, who describes himself as a dedicated Habs fan.
"People found the ad funny. Those who know me know I am a real Habs fan, and I always will be. I am convinced that next year will be better. But this year, we have to be realistic….and this is my way of grieving," Meilleur told CBC.
Inspired by Leafs fans
He said his inspiration for the "bags of shame" actually came from Toronto Maple Leafs fans.
"A few years ago, some Maple Leafs fans showed up at the Air Canada Centre with paper bags over their heads. As a Habs fan who deeply detests the Maple Leafs, it really made me laugh," said the 30-year-old.
"After watching a Habs game earlier this week, their performance was so embarrassing that I thought, 'I should do the same thing at the Bell Centre.'"
Meilleur said it seems he is not the only one who has been left feeling sad about his beloved Habs.
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He posted the pair of tickets and two bags of shame online Friday morning. By late Friday afternoon, he still had no offers.
"Normally, if I have tickets I can't use, it doesn't take me very long to sell them. I just tell people and tons of people answer back. But now, no one wants them...and I even offered to deliver them myself."