Fact Check on Controversial UFC Sponsor Hoelzer Reich

Maybe Bob Arum was right.

Anyways this shirt

Is a prime example of how the Iron Cross (which I’m not offended nor link specifically to nazism) becomes a Nazi symbol. Especially note how the the shirts H label resembles SS lightning bolts on the sleeve.

There’s a shirt with a skull with a nazi officer cap and has the same collar designs from the nazi uniforms.

They have a Mac Danzig signature shirt, I wonder what he has to say, he like to talk.

So even if they do have suspicious nazi-imagery, I don’t see very many solutions to the problem even if they do admit they are neo-nazis.

I’m not so sure about banning the material. These guys are probably Neo-Nazi sympathists, but as long as they straddle the very thin line of claiming they are not, and only using those symbols that they can historically justify as not originating from Nazi Germany, I really don’t think the UFC should ban them. I think that the fighters that wear their apparel should potentially be informed about it, and Dana should consider whether or not he wants to sign them, but just banning their apparel when they aren’t outright sympathizers seems like a slippery slope to me.

Is there something wrong with Nazis?

Lol, That was not serious.

Even if they are a Nazi company, and what?

As long as they dont discriminate against anyone, I dont know why anyone cares

For some of you commenting on the symbols are not evidence of Nazism and have been around before Third Reich, how can you explain the sponsorship of Neo Nazi Bands and Niko Puhakka?

I want to see statements from Silverstars owners too.

Could I just say that the design is awful on these Tees? Way way too cluttered with no sense of clarity.

Who cares. Hoelzer Reich has probably made a killing with all the hype on the forums. Bad publicity is still publicity and they are probably laughing all the way to the bank.

Brent, when Jamie he reached out to you, how was his reaction to this whole thing?

From their about us
http://www.hr4life.com/aboutus.asp

HOELZER REICH CLOTHING

Welcome to Hoelzer Reich Clothing. Founded by Jed Colvin and Jamie Vine, Hoelzer Reich is an apparel company offering Iron Cross and German themed apparel, MMA apparel, Fight Shorts, hats, and accessories. Hoelzer Reich Clothing is proud to sponsor MMA fighters, MX riders, and weight lifters. HR designs many custom walkout shirts and signature shirts for our fighters, along with fight shorts and MX Jerseys. We are located out of Southern California, and ship worldwide.

THE FAMILY NAME
The name “Hoelzer” comes from Jed Colvin’s Great Great Grandfather’s name in Germany. He was a Prussian Soldier during the 1870’s, and this painting of him below has been in the family for over one hundred years. This painting below of J. Hoelzer was restored by two well known art restorers, Fritz Hoelzer, and his brother, Hiram H. Hoelzer (US WW2 Veteran wounded at the Battle of the Bulge.) Hiram Hoelzer is father to Jed Colvin’s Grandmother, Hope Hoelzer.

The Hoelzer surname is derived from the Upper German word "holz,: which means "forest." Thus many of the names that evolved from this root have to do with living in the woods, or being in the lumber industry. For example, Holzhauer, means lumberjack. Lumberjacks are known and respected as some of the most hard working, strong and honorable men around.
The word "Reich," simply means "empire; realm; nation; or representing a period of time;" Hoelzer Reich directly Translates to "Lumberjack Nation," or "Lumberjack Empire." We chose the name Hoelzer Reich, not only because it reflects Strength and Honor, but because it is part of our family history.

WHY WE DO HR
We started this company using a family name, our love for apparel and design, and desire to create a bad ass line of apparel that represents our family heritage, and interest in MMA. We are very dedicated to supporting Mixed Martial Arts, by sponsoring many MMA athletes, creating signature t-shirts for our fighters to wear at events and share with their fan base. Hoelzer Reich Clothing also designs and sells custom walkout shirts and fight shorts.
We do not have any Political affiliations with any organizations, nor specific views of any controversial parties. Our interest in the Iron Cross and German history comes strictly from a historical and ancestral standpoint. For many years, we have collected German memorabilia dating back to the early 1800’s, which has been passed through the family for generations. The Iron cross symbol and other German-inspired imagery used on our apparel dates back hundreds of years, and does not depict a certain time of German History.

Sincerely,

Jed Colvin – Owner
Jamie Vine – Owner / Designer
Contact:

Jamie Vine
sixfootgraphix@yahoo.com
Cell: 805-797-7368

The Iron Cross, or Eisernes Kreuz, was a military decoration of the Kingdom of Prussia, and later of Germany, which was established by King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia and first awarded on 10 March 1813 in Breslau. In addition to during the Napoleonic Wars, the Iron Cross was awarded during the Franco German War, the First World War, and the Second World War.
The Iron Cross has been popular with many bikers, hot rodders and others, using German iconic militaria to promote a tough-guy image, or as a symbol of rebellion or non-conformity. In the 1960s, the Iron Cross was adopted by American surfers, who started wearing medals plundered by their fathers. Cal Look, Volksrod and other Volkswagen enthusiasts often use the Iron Cross as a symbol that reflects the car’s country of origin. Ed Roth created accessories for surfers, hot rodders and bikers derived from German World War II trophies, which included the Surfer’s cross.
In spring 2007 a petition to the parliament to reintroduce the Iron Cross as an award for military bravery was initiated. In addition, Jesse James is known worldwide for his brand West Coast Choppers, who uses the Iron Cross as part of his branding for the company.

THE HELMET
The Pickelhaube [Prussian Military Helmet] (from the old German Pickel = “point” or “pickaxe”, and Haube = “bonnet”, a general word for headgear), also “Pickelhelm,” was a spiked helmet worn in the 19th and 20th centuries by German military, firefighters, and police. It is most closely associated with the Prussian army. The Pickelhaube was originally designed in 1842 by King Frederick William IV of Prussia, maybe as a copy of similar helmets that were adopted at the same time by the Russian military. During the early months of World War I, it was soon discovered that the Pickelhaube did not measure up to the demanding conditions of trench warfare. Beginning in 1916, the Pickelhaube was slowly replaced by a new German steel helmet.
The Stahlhelm (German Military Helmet) is German for “steel helmet”. The Imperial German Army began to replace the traditional boiled-leather Pickelhaube with the Stahlhelm during the First World War in 1916. The term Stahlhelm refers both to a generic steel helmet, and more specifically to the distinctive (and symbolic) German design. The design of the Stahlhelm was carried out by Dr. Friedrich Schwerd of the Technical Institute of Hanover. The model for the Stahlhelm’s design is said to be the 15th century sallet, which was worn by both knights and commoners, and which provided good protection for the head and neck. Almost every military, naval, and political organization had its own distinctive insignia, which was applied as decals to the sides of helmets.

OFFICER’S CAP
The peaked cap has been worn by Russian Army officers (other ranks had the same cap without a peak) since 1811, as a new type of forage cap. Another early appearance of the peaked cap appears to have been in the Prussian Army of 1814-15 when Fieldmarschall Prince Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher and other officers wore it as a field cap in place of the cumbersome shako of the time. Throughout the nineteenth century peaked caps were the characteristic ordinary duty headdress for officers of both the Prussian and Russian Armies. In 1856 a form of peaked cap was adopted by petty officers of the Royal Navy, in imitation of an undress headdress worn by officers from as early as 1827. The British Army adopted peaked caps in 1902 for both the new khaki field dress and (in colored form) as part of the “walking out” or off duty wear for other ranks. A dark blue version was worn with dress blues by all ranks of the U.S. Army between 1902 and 1917.
During the twentieth century the combination or peaked cap became a common headdress in the armies, navies and airforces of the world, especially for officers. As a relatively practical and smart item it also became popular amongst police forces, largely replacing the helmets and kepis worn earlier.

anyone else notice brammer’s back tattoo? it was two snarling dog heads… exactly like the one Edward Norton’s character, Derek had in American History X. Dan Lauzon pointed it out. I would never think anything of that, but with all the other links to that ish… he is tough though, like most fighters…?

Brent good job at exposing this, but will anyone say anything if the UFC does a show in Dubai? Will we make a stink about that?

I don’t want to come across as defending HR because i would never buy or wear their stuff, but you can find shirts from other companies such as Tapout that also has Nazi symbolism. Maybe it is because I come from a school of thought that supports all free speech not just what I agree with, but I can’t support a witch hunt against HR even if they are nazi supporters. Just because I don’t agree with someone or if i find something offensive doesn’t mean I should try to put them out of business. This company supports fighters and has employees with families that I wouldn’t want to see out of work.

The shirt that made the UFC broadcast was not offensive at all. The evidence does seem to support that this company may have Nazi leanings, so if you don’t like that don’t buy the shirts, it is simple. Maybe it is just the lawyer in me, but I can never condone shutting down free thought no matter how distasteful it may be to me personally. That includes Nazi supporters. It is not like this company has killed anyone or is calling for the extermination of a race.