Introduction
Tuesday’s game against the New York Islanders wasn’t great. The New Jersey Devils almost got shut out even though they outshot the team from Long Island. One guy, two rows over from me, in a Fisherman jersey might have been having the best night of his life.
Needless to say, there weren’t a lot of highlights. There was one highlight that fans rallied around after a long absence of fans in Prudential Center. This being Dancing Earl. Towards the end of the third period the big man took his rightful place on the Jumbotron to bust some moves.
The fans loved seeing him, and I’m pretty sure Dancing Earl loved seeing the fans. For those few minutes he was on the jumbotron the crowd forgot the Devils — at the time — were losing 2-0. To honor the universally beloved Prudential Center usher, the Devils should hold a Dancing Earl Bobblehead night.
Wait, That’s Not Your Idea
Full disclosure, this was not my idea. One of our Devils Army readers suggested it when I posted a picture of Dancing Earl on the page from Tuesday’s game. At first it seemed like a joke, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense.
But He’s Not A Player!
So? That hasn’t stopped sports teams from making bobbleheads of people before. Just two seasons ago, the New Jersey Devils held a Dave Puddy bobblehead night.
It was glorious and I got mine signed by the man himself, Patrick Warburton. Even crazier the Arizona Coyotes once held a John McCain bobblehead night. So yes, I think we can overlook the fact that Dancing Earl wears boogie shoes instead of ice skates.
Wouldn’t That Be Weird?
There have been plenty of more bizarre sports promotions in history. The Atlanta Braves once gave away bobbleheads of Chipper Jones saving Freddie Freeman on an ATV after he got stuck in a snow storm. The Washington Nationals once held a Bryce Harper Chia Pet night. Speaking of things that grow, the Nationals would grow into World Series champions, while Bryce Harper grew into an overpaid disappointment.
Then there’s my personal favorite, “Mike Tyson Ear Night,” as held by the Fort Meyers Miracles. I mean technically Mike Tyson bite off Evander Holyfield’s ear, so wouldn’t it be Evander Holyfield ear night? That’s a different argument for a different time.
Look the Devils have had some not-so-great promo ideas of their own. There were nights when they had promotional giveaways for band-aids. Yes, actual band-aids. I’m pretty sure that was during the 2013-2014 season. Those band-aids couldn’t heal the wound in my heart from our awful shoot out skills.
Fans Would Love It
Bobbleheads nights are great because it’s easy to sell out the Prudential Center, especially on a week night. People love giveaways and are willing to make the trek to Newark for the bobbleheads. It works even better if you schedule it for a night that would normally have low interest. A Wednesday night matchup against the Calgary Flames? Perfect, fill the arena with bobblehead lovers.
The Team Would Love It Too
Now look, I can’t prove this with science, but it seems like the Devils almost always win on give-away nights in recent years. Maybe it’s because the packed arena motivates the team. Maybe I’m entirely reading too much into it. Either way, whenever the team gives away something for free the team seems to win.
Honor Dancing Earl
Lastly, it’s to honor Dancing Earl. Dancing Earl has been a Prudential Center fixture for years now. He’s danced through the good times, and the bad. He’s become a celebrity among us Devils’ fans. Why not show the man we all appreciate so much some love?
1 comment on “New Jersey Devils Must Make A Dancing Earl Bobblehead”