What started as a simple idea by a group of hockey parents to sport jerseys in support of those affected by the Humboldt Broncos bus crash has snowballed into a worldwide tribute.
Earlier this week, a group of parents in Langley, B.C. came up with the plan to wear jerseys of their favourite sports teams on Thursday to honour the victims of the tragic collision. Last Friday, a tractor-trailer collided with a bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos team to a junior hockey playoff game in rural Saskatchewan. The crash killed 16 passengers and injured 13 others aboard the bus.
for the idea where they encouraged others to don their favourite jerseys and share a photo of it online with the hashtag #JerseysforHumboldt. The idea quickly caught on and politicians, celebrities, sports organizations, businesses, school boards, and many others in Canada and around the world have voiced their support and shared photos of their jerseys on Thursday.
On Twitter, a quick search of the hashtag revealed thousands of posts sharing photos of jerseys and the hashtag was the top trending topic on the website as of Thursday morning.
Jennifer Pinch, one of the co-organizers of the movement, told Â鶹´«Ã½ Channel that she’s surprised at how many people have joined in on the effort.
“It really represents that the whole world is behind the victims in Humboldt, the families, the moms, the dads, the communities, they’re not alone,†she said on Thursday morning.
The news of the horrific crash hit home for Pinch who has a 16-year-old son that plays hockey in the Langley Minor Hockey Association.
“I couldn’t believe it. There’s so much tragedy in this world and most of it is unrelatable, this is 100 per cent relatable,†she said. “Our kids are going to be on buses. It’s our kids’ dreams to be on those junior teams.â€
Pinch said she hopes the global show of support will reach those impacted by the devastating tragedy.
“We’re all one team right now. We’re all on the team of compassion. We all want to support them. Wearing a jersey is just a way to be one team and one team for Humboldt,†she said.
— Humboldt Broncos (@HumboldtBroncos)
We see you. We hear you. We love you.
We are all .
Mariners showing their support for Humboldt.
— St. Martins School (@MarinersSTM)
Staff fr are proudly sporting their Coming together to offer support & encouragement. Standing together in times of tragedy & focusing on the strength of family & Canadian values L'équipe offre son appui
— Kim Ayotte (@ChiefAyotte)
My thoughts are with the players and families of the Humboldt Broncos.
— Shania Twain (@ShaniaTwain)
for Dayna, for all the boys.
— Hayley Wickenheiser (@wick_22)
We may be 3,000 km away, but today we stand with the victims, families, communities and first responders impacted by the tragedy. .
— York Regional Police (@YRP)
There will be a lot of at schools across Canada today to show support for Humboldt and the Broncos families.
— Erin O'Toole (@ErinOTooleMP)
We wear our jerseys, and green and gold, to show our support and send our love to the families and community of the .
— Senate of Canada (@SenateCA)
The whole country continues to stand with the , the Humboldt community, and all those impacted by the terrible tragedy. Today, all of Canada is joined together wearing .
— Andrew Scheer (@AndrewScheer)
Today, we wear a to show support and honour the Humboldt Broncos.
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh)
To the families, the community, and all those affected, you are not alone. My statement offering our love & support on :
The High Commission of Canada in Singapore is proud to support the families, friends and community of the Humboldt Broncos ���� ��������
— Canada in Singapore (@CanHCSingapore)
From Shenzhen, China, we are sending our thoughts and prayers to the Humboldt Broncos, their families and the entire community through this tragic time.
— Jasen Awalt (@JasenAwalt_PYP)
Honouring the players and families affected by last week's tragedy on
— Canada at NATO ���� (@CanadaNATO)
Today, we had many LPS employees wear jerseys for showing their support for the Humboldt Broncos and the Humboldt Community. Thank you to everyone who wore a today.
— London Police ON (@lpsmediaoffice)
Mrs. Robinson, a.k.a. my Mum, wanted to participate and send her on
— Paul Robinson (@JostensPaul)
Toronto and stand together with Humboldt.
— John Tory (@JohnTory)
Today is also in Switzerland. ����
— Sarita (@shurdriia)
I'm wearing my jersey for work. ✌
Dropping the kids off at school wearing our along with many other staff and students
— Carla Qualtrough (@CQualtro)
Thinking of you from North Bay, Ontario
— Jeff McCann (@MC_Snipy)
Schools across getting ready for in honour and support of including in Toronto.
— Peter Akman (@PeterAkman)
Mint employees in Ottawa and Winnipeg wore their hockey jerseys today in honour of the players and families of the Humboldt Broncos.
— Royal Canadian Mint (@CanadianMint)
My thoughts are with the and their families during this difficult time.
— Jim Watson (@JimWatsonOttawa)
Canadians everywhere have come together to support the families of the . The outpouring of support from schools, businesses, organizations, hockey teams and our Perth—Wellington communities is what truly makes us
— John Nater, M.P. (@JohnNaterMP)
