Golfers might’ve recognized the logo on the face mask that former President George W. Bush wore to Wednesday’s inauguration ceremonies. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is the breed of dog that inspired the logo and the name for golf apparel brand Rhoback. Known for performance-ready golf shirts and quarter-zips, the brand started making masks at the beginning of the pandemic initially to support healthcare workers. But it has since expanded the collection to offer fun prints and patterns for the public.
Rhoback’s co-founders Kevin Hubbard, Kristina Loftus and Matt Loftus had no idea the former president would be wearing the mask on Wednesday. They said they didn’t send him the mask, and President Bush has no official relationship with the brand, but he did applaud Rhoback’s work supporting rescued shelter dogs through the American Humane’s Pups4Patriots program a few years back. His handwritten letter still hangs in the Rhoback offices.
“We were stunned and honored to see the former president wearing the Old Glory Mask at the inauguration,” Hubbard said. “It was such a proud moment for us, especially as a small business, to see the mask on a world stage and in a way that encourages mask wearing.”
The simple navy American Flag-adorned mask that was seen at the inauguration is available on the Rhoback website along with 16 additional adult mask options and seven masks for kids (ages 3 and up). Several of the designs are made to match or complement patterns in the apparel line to create stylish and intentional-looking outfit options when you have to wear a mask.