Referees Dressed For The Occasion At Seattle Pride Classic
"Look, a rainbow zebra!" screamed a fan sitting in the bleachers at Kraken Community Iceplex.
No, the zebras had not gotten loose in North Bend again. Nor had Woodland Park Zoo left a gate open. And no blood alcohol testing of spectators would be required.
A "zebra" is a playful hockey nickname for a referee. You know, because of the stripes. As to the rainbow part, that's best explained in pictures.
The cliche is that an official has had a successful game if they go unnoticed. That rule clearly didn't apply at last weekend's Seattle Pride Classic.
Clad in the colors of the rainbow Pride flag, referees were more than happy to be noticed. In fact, judging by the photos below, they were just plain happy.
Don't let the clenched fist fool you. When fans reached out to officials at the Pride Classic, it wasn't for a punch, it was for a supportive fist bump.
Even players waiting in the penalty box were seen dancing and singing with the brightly colored linespersons during intermissions.
Officials got included in the postgame fist bumps and high fives, too.
In dream theory, zebras represent the need for balance and harmony during a phase of uncertainty. Dreaming of rainbows may be a celebration of diversity, inclusivity, or the call to embrace the fullness of who you are.
All of the officials were wide awake during their games... but they sure seemed in harmony and embracing the fullness of who they are.
If all sports referees wore these beautiful multi-colored shirts, it might cause a complete reversal in fan behavior. Who could boo a rainbow?