Canadian receiver Chase Claypool registered his ‘Mapletron’ logo with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in late March 2022 under his corporation Claypool Enterprises. The logo has been featured on a number of items for sale on his website, including t-shirts, hoodies, shorts, sweatpants, hats, toques, and phone cases.
The nickname ‘Mapletron’ emerged during Claypool’s sensational rookie season when he drew comparisons to Hall of Fame receiver Calvin Johnson. Johnson’s nickname, Megatron, was a reference to the antagonist from the classic animated television series Transformers.
Claypool’s logo features Megatron’s face set inside a maple leaf, signifying his Canadian roots. His initials can also be seen featured on forehead of the cartoon visage.
The 23-year-old was a second-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2020 NFL Draft and wasted no time making an impact with the club, making 62 receptions for 873 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie. He followed that up with a solid sophomore campaign this past year when he recorded 59 catches for 860 yards and two touchdowns.
Pittsburgh’s offence has undergone a makeover this off-season following the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger. Former first-round draft pick Mitch Trubisky was brought in as a free agent from the Buffalo Bills to start under centre, while star receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster left for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Claypool has a chance to break the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the first time in 2022, which has been made easier by the departure of Smith-Schuster. Though Diontae Johnson remains Pittsburgh’s top target — he had 107 catches for 1,161 yards in 2021 — Claypool is now the undisputed No. 2 receiver in the Steelers’ offence.
Only one Canadian-born player has ever had a 1,000-yard receiving season in the CFL, which was accomplished by Nate Burleson in 2004 when he caught 68 passes for 1,006 yards with the Minnesota Vikings.
