Wednesday night, the New Orleans Pelicans hosted the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers won, but no one was really watching—they couldn’t tear their eyes away from the Pelicans’ new mascot, Pierre.
In addition to debuting the new basketball team (formerly the New Orleans Hornets), the franchise also debuted Pierre, his beak and arms wide open:
Introducing your new mascot Pierre the Pelican! pic.twitter.com/CieVTs3sMt
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) October 31, 2013
And while many fans applauded the new mascot’s look, the main theme on Twitter last night was pure terror.
Pierre the Pelican was definitely in one of the cells from Cabin in the Woods.
— Chase Thomas (@ChaseThomasSBN) October 31, 2013
Pierre the Pelican just became a person of interest in every murder in New Orleans this year and for the foreseeable future.
— Mark Brrrrrr-man (@themarkberman) October 31, 2013
Anyone in favor of @Twitter automatically showing photos in the timeline hasn’t seen the nightmare fuel that is the @PelicansNBA mascot.
— Matt Goodman (@goodmoine) October 31, 2013
You’re right, Twitter. It’s his eyes.
I think it’s all in the eyes. Pierre the Pelican’s eyes are soulless and terrifying. And WHY IS HE GREEN? OIL SPILL? @PelicansNBA
— F5 Torenédo (@RJPJR) October 31, 2013
Pierre the Pelican up close before he attacks me in my sleep. pic.twitter.com/weyI0BTnpJ
— Brett Poirier NBA (@BrettNBA) October 31, 2013
A lot of people thought Pierre looked not like a pelican, but something “other.”
Pierre the Pelican reminds me a lot of Lady Elaine Fairchilde, the creepy puppet from “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.” pic.twitter.com/ZUaTq1Ze1u
— Danny Monteverde (@DCMonteverde) October 31, 2013
Um, that’s a green San Diego Chicken, not a pelican RT @PelicansNBA: Introducing your new mascot Pierre the Pelican! https://t.co/uDQU5CsS72
— Joshua Benton (@jbenton) October 31, 2013
Back to Pierre the Pelican. Has anyone in the @nbapelicans org ever seen a real pelican? Even a pic? Pierre is just a Nightmare Chicken
— VP (@WallOfTall) October 31, 2013
And then, of course, Pierre was Photoshopped into other terrifying moments.
it’s not from this planet. pic.twitter.com/T1AAJ0FkkU
— Caitlin Kelly (@atotalmonet) October 31, 2013
Darth = the best. RT @darth: @atotalmonet @Adam_Jacobi @themarkberman “THEY ALL FLOAT DOWN HERE PELICANS FANS” pic.twitter.com/liKEy7XrsI
— Mark Brrrrrr-man (@themarkberman) October 31, 2013
New Orleans has a rich history of costumery, which might be why Pierre’s getup is a bit of a letdown. Now you’re going to see those eyes in every sewer grate you pass. Happy Halloween!
Photo via New Orleans Pelicans/Twitter
