NHL Nixes “Pride” Jerseys to Avoid “Distraction” From the Sport
This comes after a few notable players refused to wear the “pride” jerseys on the ice
The National Hockey League has officially put an end to LGBT “pride” themed jerseys, citing the fact that players wearing them on the ice has turned into a “distraction.”
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman told Sportsnet that the league will no longer have players don the rainbow-colored jerseys for events like “pride night.”
"Our clubs, in some form or another, host nights in honor of various groups or causes. We rather them continue to get the appropriate attention that they deserve and not be a distraction," he explained.
He clarified that players are free to create their own specialty jerseys to draw attention to charities or issues of their choice.
"Players who choose to model them can do that. It's really just the question of what's on the ice,” he said.
Earlier this year, The Christian Post notes, then-Philidelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov, refused to wear a pride-themed jersey for warmup, citing his devout Russian Orthodox faith.
Then, San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer and Eric and Marc Staal, brothers who both play for the Florida Panthers, followed suit.
Reimer, who sat out of a game against the New York Islanders in March, said that he had “no hate” for anyone but would not support anything that countered his deeply-held Christian convictions.
"For all 13 years of my NHL career, I have been a Christian, not just in title but in how I choose to live my life daily,” he explained. “I have a personal faith in Jesus Christ who died on the cross for my sins and, in response, asks me to love everyone and follow Him."