The Reign of Kelly Bones
Published on August 28, 2013 under Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
NEW ORLEANS (August 28, 2013) - The New Orleans VooDoo has its fair share of dedicated fans. However, one fan favorite has gone over and beyond to express his love for the VooDoo.
According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, the true meaning of the word "mascot" is "A person or thing that is supposed to bring good luck or that is used to symbolize a particular event or organization." Justin Fletcher, better known as Kelly Bones, is a true representation of the spirit and dedication among VooDoo fans.
In 2002, former VooDoo owner, Tom Benson, put a poll up on the New Orleans Saints website that urged fans to vote on an arena football team name. The name was set, and the New Orleans VooDoo began their first season in 2004. The VooDoo's conception in 2004 began the journey of a 15-year old boy's passion for arena football and more specifically, the New Orleans VooDoo.
"My family bought season tickets right away," said Fletcher.
"I attended the game just as thousands of other people did that year."
However, Fletcher wanted to stand out. The VooDoo's mascot was named "Bones" and was respectively dressed as a skeleton. Fletcher decided to put a spin on the current mascot. He went out and bought a jester costume and a skeleton head. Just a teenager at the time, Fletcher started to attract attention from fellow fans, players, cameras and VooDoo management. As the 2004 season came to an end, Fletcher decided it was time to step up his game.
"People wanted to take pictures with me and the arena aisle guards would let me come down to the lower levels. I was the 'fans mascot,'" said Fletcher. "I even became friends with the Benson organization."
The start of the 2005 season was quickly approaching and Fletcher decided to invest in shoulder pads and a jersey. The jersey choice was simple, VooDoo star quarterback Andy Kelly got Fletcher's vote. Kelly would go one to be voted as the 10th greatest AFL quarterback in 2012.
After a few costume adjustments, advice from a couple "myspace" friends, and a name that was a tribute to QB Andy Kelly, the era of "Kelly Bones" was born.
After Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, the VooDoo's season came to a screeching halt. Fletcher packed up his outfit and anxiously awaited their comeback in 2007. For the next two seasons, Kelly Bones was the highlight among thousands of fans at the VooDoo games. His exuberant spirit pumped up the fans and most importantly the players. Kelly Bones would come to be a focal point for the camera men televising the game.
Not only was Kelly Bones a fan favorite, but the dedication of the man behind the mask proved infinite as his love for the VooDoo grew over the seasons.
"I fell in love with the VooDoo from the beginning," said Fletcher. "I would buy the merchandise from year to year and just collect anything and everything I could get my hands on. In 2008, my obsession grew to an all-time high as I decked out my truck in VooDoo decals."
As the 2008 season came to an end, Fletcher's dreams were crushed.
"I can still remember the date, October 13, 2008," said Fletcher. "Benson announced that the VooDoo would no longer exist."
Fletcher's first thoughts were that he needed to visit every sporting goods store and find as much VooDoo memorabilia as he could.
"I spent hundreds of dollars in shirts, pennants, trailer hitches, footballs, helmets, jerseys, etc.," said Fletcher. "I could probably wear a different VooDoo shirt for two months straight if I really wanted to."
After buying anything and everything he could get his hands on, Fletcher decided to take the route to custom made VooDoo merchandise.
In 2010, after hearing the news that Dan Newman would be bringing back the New Orleans VooDoo, Fletcher was excited to continue his VooDoo tradition.
Fletcher attended the Angola Rodeo at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, in 2011.
"This was the first time I attended the rodeo," said Fletcher. "I thought they might have some VooDoo stuff, but all I could find was LSU, Saints and Hornets crafts. I'm not going to lie, I was a little scared at first, but I found the courage and asked an inmate if he could make me something VooDoo."
The inmate was not sure of the exact details to the logo.
This was not a problem for Fletcher as he found a sheet of paper and drew up the logo on the spot. Fletcher returned to the rodeo at the end of the month and to his surprise, the inmate had created custom jewelry with the VooDoo logo. After containing his excitement, Fletcher bought an arm band and a ring and wore both for weeks on end.
The reign of Kelly Bones continues to this day, and Fletcher's memorabilia collection has grown so large that he had created an entire room (painted in the appropriate VooDoo colors) to house his collection.
Here is a list of some of Fletcher's items that he has collected over the years:
VooDoo helmets, 2005 Andy Kelly Jersey, 2008 white jersey, 2011 Fan of the Game Plaque, Tickets, Car flags, 50-60 hats, T-shirts, programs, mini helmets, decals, sweatshirts, VooDoo arm band, custom helmet, clock, key chains, trailer hitches, towels, foam fingers, flags, VooDoo bed, framed season tickets...
VooDoo fans and players are accustomed to seeing the familiar face of Kelly Bones at VooDoo games and events. Children all over the Big Easy know him as the "Unofficial-Official Off-Season VooDoo Mascot." It's a title well deserved for the New Orleans VooDoo's biggest fan.
Fletcher holds the largest collection of VooDoo memorabilia to date. If you think you can top his collection, we would love to see it!
Arena Football League Stories from August 28, 2013
- The Reign of Kelly Bones - New Orleans VooDoo
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
