Progressives are up in arms after NHL player Ivan Provorov did not don an LBGTQ jersey for a pre-game warm up and postgame auction, the only Philadelphia Flyer player refusing to do so. The Flyers were celebrating PRIDE night at the arena, decking it out in rainbow hues in order to raise money for gay charities.
Provorov, who is Russian orthodox, told reporters: “I respect everyone. I respect everybody’s choices. My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion.”
In response to this, hockey analysts were livid, with Pierre LeBrun, TSN and RDS Hockey Insider and Senior NHL Columnist for @TheAthletic writing:
Likewise Greg Wyshynski, Senior NHL Writer at ESPN, said that Prororov owed these charities a donation and was irked and aghast he didn’t wear the jersey.
Head coach John Tortorella offered that he respected Prorovov for his stand, and did not consider benching him for his stance.
With Provy, he’s being true to himself and to his religion. This has to do with his belief and his religion. It’s one thing I respect about Provy: He’s always true to himself. That’s where we’re at with that.”
