The Pittsburgh Penguins sparked an online reaction on Wednesday after a social media official photoshopped masks for fans in a photo taken during the team’s first home game in front of viewers since last March.
“We had to say that again … thanks for the continued support, fans of the Penguins,” the team’s official Twitter account posted next to an image that shows all the fans wearing appropriate face clothes. “We can’t wait to see you tomorrow night.”
The ice hockey team had returned to the PPG Paints Arena the night before to face the Philadelphia Flyers on their way to a 5-2 victory. Only 2,800 people were able to enter to watch the action and a zero tolerance mask policy was implemented. It was Penguin’s first home game before fans since March 2, 2020, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
But some eagle-eyed Twitter users noticed that something was wrong. In the original Getty photo, a fan without a mask is seen in the upper right corner, while two others did not have their faces properly covered.
One critic quickly called the seemingly adulterated image the team’s “terrible BS”.
“Enforce the rules or not, but don’t lie to us either,” said the tweet. “Pens from bad jobs.”
Another critic admitted that “growing pains” with the mask policy were to be expected, considering it was the first home game with spectators – but still said that the team should “do better”.
Meanwhile, someone else joked that the team’s account appeared to be operated by a “real penguin”.
“Photoshop is difficult without fingers,” said the answer.
In a statement to The Post on Thursday, the team acknowledged that a social media employee sent the “altered” photo and has since been reprimanded.
“We are excited to have our fans back at the PPG Paints Arena and, following the advice of medical professionals, we are taking every precaution to enforce the use of masks to keep our fans safe,” says the statement. “We have adopted a zero tolerance policy, and our arena team has itinerant teams to enforce during home games.”
The team said the official “perhaps well-intentioned”, however, should not have manipulated the large photo of the crowd of “some fans” who were not following the rules.
“Our social media team should never send altered photos to our fan base,” continues the statement. “This is a violation of our social media and security policy, and this employee has been disciplined.”
Fans were able to return to the arena after Governor Tom Wolf increased indoor capacity to 15 percent, reported the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
“We are grateful for the loyalty that our fans showed during this difficult time,” said Penguins coach Mike Sullivan.
“We feel that we have some of the sport’s most loyal fans. These guys have been very supportive of our players over the years. I know that players appreciate that. “