NHL defenseman Ivan Provorov sparked the league’s Pride Night controversies last season when he refused to wear a rainbow jersey during warmups.
But now, his signed jersey is being auctioned in support of… LGBTQ+ inclusion???
Make it make sense!
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The Columbus Blue Jackets hosted their “Hockey is for Everyone” night Monday, coinciding with Martin Luther King Day. While the event wasn’t specifically focused on LGBTQ+ people, the team promoted a special Pride ticket package. Proceeds from each ticket went towards Stonewall Columbus.
Provorov’s jersey, which includes a “Hockey is for Everyone” patch, was raffled off to raise money for charity.
In other words, a player who’s synonymous with the NHL’s inclusion problems was prominently featured in the Blue Jackets’ “Hockey is for Everyone” raffle.
We’re as stumped as you are! Outsports first reported the shocking (and shockingly weird) news.
Provorov was the first player last season who refused to wear Pride merchandise, sparking months of controversy.
Players on four other teams followed his lead, and some clubs, such as the New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild, abandoned their jersey initiatives altogether.
Those homophobic acts prompted NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to ban speciality jerseys and rainbow tape this season, though the league quickly reversed course on the second misguided edict.
It’s worth noting some Blue Jackets players used Pride tape during warm-ups… but not Provorov, of course.
Yet, any LGBTQ+ Blue Jackets fan was eligible to win his jersey in the team’s raffle.
How fun!
The Philadelphia Flyers, Provorov’s former team, hosted a wildly successful Pride Night last week. They went all-out, honoring special guests throughout the affair and selling special merchandise and cocktails.
The vibes were so good, Flyers mascot (and icon) Gritty pulled off an aerial performance to “YMCA” draped in a giant rainbow skirt.
It was the opposite feeling of last season’s festivities, when Provorov’s homophobic act overshadowed the message of inclusion.
One of the most unfortunate aspects of Provorov’s Pride snub is the fact it’s still shrouded in mystery. The Russian-born player never specified why he didn’t want to wear a Pride jersey for 20 minutes during warmups.
At the height of the controversy, multiple teams said they were concerned for their Russian players’ safety if they wore Pride jerseys, given Vladimir Putin’s staunch opposition to LGBTQ+ rights.
But even the NHL rebuffed those claims.
Provorov, to our knowledge, wasn’t interviewed about the Blue Jackets’ “Hockey is for Everyone” night, either.
But in a possible example of karma, the NHL vet didn’t shine Monday. In fact, one of his defensive lapses led to a goal.
No word on whether Provorov’s game jersey was included in the ill-advised auction as well.
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Jim
Why make him wear the jersey. Let everyone know he does not believe in inclusion and is a bigot.
After being booed enough he’ll rethink his position or play martyr
ShaverC
Not wanting to wear the jersey isn’t a homophobic act. What’s next, if he doesn’t has s@x with a man he’s a homophobe?
canadiankid
how is it not a homophobic act in your twisted dated brain?! his refusal to show his support means he doesn’t support it. stop allowing us to be hated and marginalized because of “different opinions.” he doesn’t support pride because he’s a dumb bigot. end of story.
ShaverC
When I go to a game I want to watch them play, not pander to various groups of people. When they wear the regular team jersey, then they’re playing to everyone in the crowd.
Baron Wiseman
I wouldn’t want to wear the jersey either; and I am gay!
I am there to participate in a sport and not seek the approval for my sexual orientation by people I do not know. These precious little snowflakes have to have the attention and approval of complete strangers. It’s pathological. Virtue signaling at its finest.
Maybe we should have Christian Acknowledgment Night were the players come out for practice with a small crucifix on their helmet? How about Free Palestine Night?
LegionKeign
Don’t make anyone who doesn’t want to support inclusion wear the jerseys or use the tape.
I want to know clearly who our allies are and who isn’t.
Baron Wiseman
Exactly. You want to know who the virtue signaling approval seekers are.
Bosch
Anti-discrimination messages upset homophobes. That ain’t new.
Invader7
He’s a closet case. I bet he secretly wants to get plowed deep & hard..