Big Joe (mascot)

Big Joe (French: Grand Jos) is the mascot of the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

"[4][5] The name was a reference to French Canadian folk hero, Big Joe Mufferaw, who is based on real-life Joseph Montferrand (French: Jos Montferrand), who is often credited as a lumberjack from the Ottawa Valley.

[6] However, the name caused controversy and divided opinions, as some considered it offensive to Montferrand's surname.

[7] Criticisms of the name arose, as some fans claimed the "Mufferaw" took away from the "Frenchness" of Montferrand, and alienated French-Canadians.

[8] The name change was praised, and was seen as both a possible way of building the team's fanbase, as well as a way of discussing French-Canadian history.