(Dmytro “Henry” Aleksandrov, Headline USA) The Nationah Hockey League may re-evaluate its pro-LGBT policy and stop forcing hockey players to wear rainbow jerseys during so-called Pride nights because of an increasing number of players engaging in silent protests against it.
As of now, all NFL teams hold Pride nights, according to the Post Millennial. However, some now do so without the themed jerseys because the events are planned by the individual teams, not the league.
“This is the first time we’ve experienced that, and I think it’s something that we’re going to have to evaluate in the offseason,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in an interview with CTV News.
Several players declined to participate in pre-game warmups while wearing rainbow jerseys, saying that it goes against their religious beliefs.
“This is one issue where players, for a variety of reasons, may not feel comfortable wearing the uniform as a form of endorsement,” Bettman said.
“But I think that’s become more of a distraction now, because the substance of what our teams and we have been doing and stand for is really being pushed to the side for what is a handful of players basically have made personal decisions, and you have to respect that as well,” he added.
Among the players who refused to wear the jerseys that support LGBT were Florida Panthers players Eric and Marc Staal who announced it last Thursday night.
“We carry no judgment on how people choose to live their lives and believe that all people should be welcome in all aspects of the game of hockey,” the Staal brothers said in a statement. “Having said that, we feel that by us wearing a Pride jersey, it goes against our Christian beliefs.”
Other players who refused to wear the jerseys were Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov, San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin. Provorov’s jerseys were sold out immediately after his announcement.
