Ottawa RedBlacks mascot named Big Joe Mufferaw
New series of books about French Canadian folk hero announced for young football fans
The burly lumberjack mascot for the Ottawa RedBlacks mascot has been named after French Canadian folk hero Big Joe Mufferaw.
The character is featured in children's books by late Ottawa Valley storyteller Bernie Bedore.
The Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group said it approached Bedore's family about using the name and plans to partner with Great River Media to launch a new Big Joe Mufferaw series for RedBlack fans.
Bedore's daughter supports the project.
"We're delighted to continue dad's legacy through a new series of books for kids," Judy Bedore said in a news release. "This initiative will bring Big Joe Mufferaw and the history of the lumber industry in our region into the hearts and minds of a new generation of young people for years to come."
The president of sports for OSEG said the mascot's name was chosen based on suggestions from fans.
"We heard that fans loved the look of our mascot and hundreds said he had to be Big Joe Mufferaw. We like that name too because it reminds us of our city's past and fits so well into the branding of our football team," Jeff Hunt said in a news release.