Troy Smith
James Reimer, the goaltender for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League, refused to wear a ‘pride’ jersey created by a local gay artist against the New York Islanders.
Videos by Rare
The jerseys were only to be worn during warmups.
He boycotted the warmups, and said in a statement that he refused because of his religious beliefs. That statement reads…
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.
James Reimer
A statement from Goaltender, James Reimer: pic.twitter.com/GwhWxhbmb4
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) March 18, 2023
This comes as Philadelphia Flyers Ivan Provorov also refused to wear his team’s ‘pride’ jerseys just weeks ago.
ESPN reported at the time…
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov did not take the pregame skate on Tuesday night because he refused to wear the team’s LGBTQ+ Pride Night warmup jersey, citing his religious beliefs.
Provorov, 26, told reporters after the Flyers’ 5-2 home win over the Anaheim Ducks that it was his choice “to stay true to myself and my religion,” which he identified as Russian Orthodox.
“I respect everyone. I respect everybody’s choices,” he said.
https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/35470032/flyers-ivan-provorov-boycotts-pride-night-cites-religion
See Reimer’s full press conference below…
