NHL Bans Rainbow 'Pride Tape' on Hockey Sticks, LGBTQ Jerseys

Three months after NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced that NHL players would 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, they also announced that for the start of the new season, which begins in a few days, NHL players will also be banned from wrapping their sticks with rainbow Pride tape.

According to Outsports, it is “the most stifling, anti-LGBTQ policy any pro sports league in North America has ever issued.

While the NHL is not disavowing Pride altogether, the move comes after a mere seven players last year refused to wear gay Jerseys, causing a media maelstrom. These include Ivan Provorov of the Philadelphia Flyers, James Reiner of the San Jose Sharks, and Florida Panthers brothers Eric and Marc Staal, with Reiner saying at the time:

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.”

According to a memo sent to all the General Managers:

“Players shall not be put in the position of having to demonstrate (or where they may be appearing to demonstrate) personal support for any Special Initiatives. [Editor’s note. Pride events] A factor that may be considered in this regard includes, for example, whether a Player (or Players) is required to be in close proximity to any groups or individuals visibly or otherwise clearly associated with such Special Initiative(s).

Well done, thopse who refused to bow the knee to Baal.