A Christian ice hockey player took a public stand for his faith against his team’s embrace of LGBT activism.
Ivan Provorov, an ice hockey defenseman and alternate captain for the Philadelphia Flyers in the National Hockey League, declined to wear the team’s LGBT warmup jersey for the Pride Night Tuesday following the team’s 5-2 home win over the Anaheim Ducks.
“I respect everybody’s choices,” Provorov told reporters, according to footage captured by Associated Press sportswriter Dan Gelston. “My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion.” He identified his faith as “Russian Orthodox.”
Provorov, who was born in Yaroslavl, Russia, and played hockey there, moved to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, at age 13.
The Flyers announced Tuesday that they would host their annual “Pride Night celebration” “in celebration and support of the LGBTQ+ community” after the game.
Prior to the game, Flyers players will wear special Pride-themed warmup jerseys and use warm-up sticks wrapped in rainbow Pride tape. Both the jerseys and sticks will be auctioned off by Flyers Charities following the game with proceeds going to Flyers Charities and their efforts to grow the game of hockey in diverse communities.
Also before the game, the Flyers hosted a “pre-game skate for local LGBTQ+ youth and officers from the Greater Philadelphia G.O.A.L. organization.” That organization advocates for “LGBTQ+ first responders and military members,” aiming to “educate first responders in LGBTQ+ competency” and “provide community outreach … between the LGBTQ+ public and first responder agencies.”
Flyers Charities presented the LGBT activist group with a $5,000 check and sold special Pride Night autographed mystery pucks for $35. The Wells Fargo Center also displayed rainbow colors during the game. The Flyers provided complimentary tickets for the game to nine LGBT groups, including the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus, the William Way LGBTQ Community Center, and the Independence Business Alliance.
Before Provorov’s comments, the team released a statement expressing its support for “inclusivity” and for “the LGBTQ+ community,” ESPN reported.
“The Philadelphia Flyers organization is committed to inclusivity and is proud to support the LGBTQ+ community,” the statement reads. “Many of our players are active in their support of local LGBTQ+ organizations, and we were proud to host our annual…
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