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Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov boycotted Tuesday’s pregame skating over his refusal to wear a Pride-themed warm-up jersey. The 26-year-old cited his Russian Orthodox faith in making the decision, which has divided hockey fans.
“I respect everyone’s choices,” Provorov said as he logged 23 minutes in the Flyers’ 5-2 win over visiting Anaheim. ‘My choice is to remain true to myself and my religion. That is all what I am going to say.
He did not answer any follow-up questions about his decision.
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov boycotted Tuesday’s pregame skating over his refusal to wear a Pride-themed warm-up jersey. The 26-year-old cited his Russian Orthodox faith in making the decision, which has divided hockey fans.
The hockey world was quickly divided by Provorov’s decision and post-game commentary.
Coach John Tortorella defended Provorov, saying the Russian defender “was true to himself and his religion.”
“It’s one thing I respect about Provy, he’s always true to himself,” Tortorella said.
But some prominent members of the media attacked Provorov for his decision and the reasoning behind it.
“But Provorov obviously has no respect for ‘everyone,'” TSN’s Pierre LeBrun tweeted. “If he respected everyone, he would have participated in the warm-up and put on the Pride Night shirt.” Don’t hide behind religion.
Samuel Errson #33 of the Philadelphia Flyers looks on while standing in the tunnel leading to the ice surface to warm up before their game against Anaheim at the Wells Fargo Center
Joel Farabee #86, Rasmus Ristolainen #55, Carter Hart #79 and Cam York #45 of the Philadelphia Flyers skate during warmups prior to their game against the Anaheim Ducks
SB Nation’s NHL editor Steph Driver noted that the Wells Fargo Center, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Flyers, was the first to threaten fans with ejection for using homophobic slurs.
“Ivan Provorov was allowed to play in a game for the Philadelphia Flyers, the organization that first said they would kick him out of the arena if he uttered a homophobic slur, after refusing to wear a Pride logo to warm up.” The driver tweeted. What an absolute shame.
But many fans lined up to support Provorov.
“I love her courage and her right to stand up for her beliefs,” one supporter tweeted. ‘I can’t wait for the day when this is the popular choice compared to the current belief that you have to agree with the beliefs of others. He said it well, he respects everyone, but he believes differently.
The Flyers would defeat the visiting Anaheim Ducks, 5-2, on Tuesday in Philadelphia.
Flyers players James van Riemsdyk and Scott Laughton have been staunch supporters of the community and launched a program in support of local LGBTQ+ youth in the greater Philadelphia area.
Laughton and van Riemsdyk met with about 50 people from the LGBTQ+ community after the game. Laughton said that overall the Flyers had a “great, great night that raises a lot of awareness.”
Laughton said there will be further talks with Provorov, who moved to the United States from Russia as a teenager. He signed a six-year, $40.5 million contract before the 2019 season and won the Barry Ashbee Trophy as the Flyers’ outstanding defenseman in his rookie season, the youngest player from Philadelphia to receive the honor.
“I have nothing against anybody,” Laughton said. It’s nothing like that. It was an amazing night and I’m so happy to have gotten a win on a night like this.”
All-Star forward Kevin Hayes, who notched a hat-trick in the win over Anaheim, said “it’s not for me to answer” when asked how he felt about Provorov’s decision.
The Wells Fargo Center was decked out Tuesday night in the hues of the rainbow representing the LGBTQ+ community through LED lighting, décor and rainbow-themed team merchandise.
“The Philadelphia Flyers organization is committed to inclusion and is proud to support the LGBTQ+ community,” the team said in a statement after the game. “Many of our players are active in supporting local LGBTQ+ organizations, and we are proud to host our annual Pride Night again this year. The Flyers will continue to be strong advocates for inclusion and the LGBTQ+ community.”
The NHL also promotes the You Can Play project, whose goal is to ensure equality, respect, and safety for all athletes, regardless of their sexual orientation. The NHL has never had an active openly gay player.
The Tampa Bay Rays shared the custom-made uniforms for their Pride Night event on June 4 on social media. Five players on the team refused to wear them and instead wore their regular uniforms.
This isn’t the first time the Pride celebration has divided professional athletes.
In June, several Tampa Bay Rays players decided not to wear rainbow logos on their uniforms as part of the team’s annual ‘Pride Night.’
Reliever Jason Adam was among those who opted out, saying it was a “faith-based decision” for him.
‘It’s just what we think the lifestyle you have [Jesus] He encouraged us to live for our sake, not deny ourselves,” Adam told the Tampa Bay Times. “But we love these men and women, we care about them and we want them to feel safe and welcome here.”
The 31-year-old shared his comments Tuesday after five of his teammates opted not to wear LGBTQ colors on their uniforms.