In the last few weeks, many players have come forward with their opinion on the NHL LGBTQIA+ promotion program. After Ivan Provorov, James Reimer, the Staal brothers and many more refused to wear a special jersey for the LGBTQIA+ community, another team just announced that they won't wear the pride jersey.
The St. Louis Blues Won't Wear the Pride Jersey
The Athletic's James Rutherford made the following announcement:
Blues players will not wear Pride jerseys during warmups before the team's Pride night game against the Flyers on Tuesday, a team source told The Athletic on Monday. Here's what you need to know:
The Blues announced their plans for Pride night, which included a list of promotions, but notably omitted whether the team will be wearing Pride jerseys during the pregame warmups. The team said there will be Pride-themed warmup pucks and rainbow stick tape available for players.
The source said the decision not to wear the warmup jerseys was made to put the focus on the positive things the team is doing to support and affirm the LGBTQIA+ community.
St. Louis previously wore Pride jerseys during warmups on April 6, 2022.
- Jeremy Rutherford
It seems the Blues will indeed ditch the pride jerseys. However, the team will celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community in their own way.
Chris Zimmerman, Blues' CEO and business operations said:
"We believe in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment that encourages all fans to participate in our great sport.»
«With our Pride Night, alongside our partners from Pride STL and You Can Play Project, we are recognizing our friends in the LGBTQIA+ community and advocating for inclusivity in support of the NHL's Hockey is for Everyone initiative,» he added. «As an organization, we are committed to celebrating and welcoming all individuals as valued members of the Blues family — regardless of how they identify or whom they love.»
What do you think? Do you like teams taking the initiative to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community in their own way?
