2017-18 Adidas Home Team Issued
#73 Jack Johnson with "Stronger Than Hate" Patch
Manufacturer: Adidas
Size: 58
Purchased From: Joe Tomon/J & J Distributing
Lettered by: Pro Knitwear
The Story: On the morning of October 27, 2018, a gunman walked into the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood and opened fire, killing eleven people as they worshiped during Shabbat services. In addition, six others, including four Pittsburgh police officers, were injured in the mass shooting. This one-hour-and-twenty-three-minute massacre, which occurred in one of the largest predominantly Jewish neighborhoods in the United States, was the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history. It rocked Squirrel Hill and the City of Pittsburgh to its core. It is and will remain one of the darkest days in our nation's and city's history for generations.
As it often does, Pittsburgh rallied in the wake of this senseless tragedy. People of virtually all religions and faiths supported their Jewish neighbors in their time of need. And the Pittsburgh Penguins took the lead in exemplifying the City of Pittsburgh's resolve and resilience. The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation made donations to The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and to a newly-established fund with the City of Pittsburgh's Department of Public Safety to benefit the four officers injured while bravely apprehending the gunman. The Penguins also promoted a blood drive at PPG Paints Arena the following day and, at the Penguins' first home game after the tragedy, held a collection for the victims and their families. But they didn't stop there. The team and the Penguins Foundation launched a campaign called "Stronger Than Hate." The Penguins wore jerseys with a special patch during their October 30 home game against the New York Islanders, which were auctioned by the Penguins Foundation, who sold over 16,000 of those patches as well, with all proceeds benefiting The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, The Tree of Life Synagogue, and the new Public Safety Support Trust Fund. In all, over $600,000 was raised by the Penguins through fans and partners and donated to these three causes. Prior to the game, the Penguins honored the victims as well as the officers involved in the attack.
This jersey, originally a 2017-18 game-issued jersey prepared for prospect Andrey Pedan, was converted to a Jack Johnson jersey by Pro Knitwear, the team's customizer, by changing the nameplate and adding the "Stronger Than Hate" patch I purchased from the Penguins Foundation to the right shoulder. In keeping with Penguins policy, they removed the internal Game Jersey tag with the serial number corresponding to the Certificate of Authenticity below, but they returned the original "PEDAN" nameplate.
For me, this jersey will serve as a reminder that hatred, bigotry, and violence have no place in the City of Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is Stronger Than Hate. It will also bring to mind the pride I have in my city and its people. I'll wear it proudly!
Size: 58
Purchased From: Joe Tomon/J & J Distributing
Lettered by: Pro Knitwear
The Story: On the morning of October 27, 2018, a gunman walked into the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood and opened fire, killing eleven people as they worshiped during Shabbat services. In addition, six others, including four Pittsburgh police officers, were injured in the mass shooting. This one-hour-and-twenty-three-minute massacre, which occurred in one of the largest predominantly Jewish neighborhoods in the United States, was the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history. It rocked Squirrel Hill and the City of Pittsburgh to its core. It is and will remain one of the darkest days in our nation's and city's history for generations.
As it often does, Pittsburgh rallied in the wake of this senseless tragedy. People of virtually all religions and faiths supported their Jewish neighbors in their time of need. And the Pittsburgh Penguins took the lead in exemplifying the City of Pittsburgh's resolve and resilience. The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation made donations to The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and to a newly-established fund with the City of Pittsburgh's Department of Public Safety to benefit the four officers injured while bravely apprehending the gunman. The Penguins also promoted a blood drive at PPG Paints Arena the following day and, at the Penguins' first home game after the tragedy, held a collection for the victims and their families. But they didn't stop there. The team and the Penguins Foundation launched a campaign called "Stronger Than Hate." The Penguins wore jerseys with a special patch during their October 30 home game against the New York Islanders, which were auctioned by the Penguins Foundation, who sold over 16,000 of those patches as well, with all proceeds benefiting The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, The Tree of Life Synagogue, and the new Public Safety Support Trust Fund. In all, over $600,000 was raised by the Penguins through fans and partners and donated to these three causes. Prior to the game, the Penguins honored the victims as well as the officers involved in the attack.
This jersey, originally a 2017-18 game-issued jersey prepared for prospect Andrey Pedan, was converted to a Jack Johnson jersey by Pro Knitwear, the team's customizer, by changing the nameplate and adding the "Stronger Than Hate" patch I purchased from the Penguins Foundation to the right shoulder. In keeping with Penguins policy, they removed the internal Game Jersey tag with the serial number corresponding to the Certificate of Authenticity below, but they returned the original "PEDAN" nameplate.
For me, this jersey will serve as a reminder that hatred, bigotry, and violence have no place in the City of Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is Stronger Than Hate. It will also bring to mind the pride I have in my city and its people. I'll wear it proudly!