NHL Banning ALL Pride Jerseys Next Season After A Few Players Refused to Wear Them
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has announced that NHL players will no longer be allowed to wear specialty jerseys for pre-game warm-ups, particularly Pride jerseys, after a handful of players refused to wear them and caused an uproar on social media.
“I’ve suggested it would be appropriate for clubs not to change their jerseys in warm-ups because it’s become a distraction and taken away from the fact that all of our clubs, in some form or another, host nights in honour of various groups or causes, and we’d rather they continue to get the appropriate attention that they deserve and not be a distraction.
While the NHL is not disavowing Pride altogether, Bettman cited the refusal of several players to wear the Jerseys and the ensuing media attention that came with it as a leading cause for pulling the plug. Famously, Ivan Provorov of the Philadelphia Flyers, James Reiner of the San Jose Sharks, and Florida Panthers brothers Eric and Marc Staal refused to bow before the gay rainbow, with Reiner saying:
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 daily. I have a personal faith in Jesus Christ, who died on a cross for my sins and, in response, asks me to love everyone and to follow Him. I have no hate in my heart for anyone and I have always strived to treat everyone that I encounter with respect and kindness.
In this specific instance, I am choosing not to endorse something that is counter to my personal convictions which are based on the Bible, the highest authority in my life. I strongly believe that every person has value and worth and the LGBTQIA+ community, like all others, should be welcomed in all aspects of the game of hockey.”
Bettman noted that the refusals of these men brought unwanted chatter and undue attention, and that a blanket ban is the best way to minimize the noise.
(It) just become more of a distraction from really the essence of what the purpose of these nights are. We’re keeping the focus on the game. And on these specialty nights, we’re going to be focused on the cause.