NFL
By: Zachary Draves
In 2017, the NHL launched its “Hockey is For Everyone” initiative, which they said was “designed to promote diversity and inclusion among those of all sexual orientation, genders, ethnicities, abilities, and socioeconomic statuses”.
Since then, the league has to its credit been more intentionally forward-thinking on some of these matters compared to other professional leagues. For example, all 32 teams host annual Pride Nights to show support for the LGBTQ+ community. Before the game, players wear rainbow warmup jerseys and stick tape. They also partner with a local LGBTQ+ organization and give them recognition during the course of the game.
(Courtesy: NHL.com)
In 2013, the league have formed an alliance with the You Can Play Project, an advocacy group founded by renowned hockey scout Patrick Burke works to eradicate homophobia in sports.
All of which sound like steps in the right direction.
However, recent events have called into question the NHL’s supposed commitment to diversity and inclusion.
On January 17, Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov refused to come out for warmups before their Pride Night game against Anaheim Ducks. He opted not to wear the rainbow warmup jersey and cited his Russian Orthodox faith as the basis for doing so.
(Courtesy: NBC News)
After the Flyers won 5-2, he would later say at a post-game press conference “I respect everybody. I respect everybody’s choices. My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion. That’s all I’m going to say.”
Head coach John Tortorella defended Provorov’s decision saying “This has to do with his beliefs and his religion. It’s one thing I respect about Provy: He’s always true to himself.”
(Courtesy: Getty Images)
Ten days later, the New York Rangers did not come out during their warmups wearing rainbow themed jerseys, forgoing their original plans before their annual Pride Night against Vegas Golden Knights. While many Pride Night activities went on as scheduled such as rainbow lights illuminating Madison Square Garden and the team donated money to Ali Forney Center, which supports homeless LGBTQ+ youth, many fans were disappointed and expressed that on social media.
(Courtesy: Getty Images)
In response, the Rangers put out a statement that read “Our organization respects the LGBTQ+ community and we are proud to bring attention to important local community organizations as part of another great Pride Night. In keeping with our organization’s core values, we support everyone’s individual right to respectfully express their beliefs.”
There is plenty wrong about the responses from Provorv Tororella, and the Rangers.
First, Provorv citing his religion is an old tactic that has been used by proponents of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment and policy for years. Everything from opposing marriage equality to recent attempts at criminalizing drag performers has had a religious aspect to it in form or another as a means to justify the marginalization LGBTQ+ people.
Plus, he wants to have it both ways when he says he “respects everyone” while using his religion as a protective shield. If anything, he is trying to be politically correct in his apparent homophobia, which couldn’t be more oxymoronic.
In other words, he is trying to be “polite” about his position because he knows that if he said something stronger he could get in trouble.
When anti-LGBTQ+ hate groups arm themselves and protest outside of drag shows, they are certainly doing so with hate in their hearts, but at least they are honest about their bigotry.
Back in 2007, former NBA player Tim Hardaway was more than honest when he said “I hate gay people” and that he was proudly homophobic. He has since evolved and become an LGBTQ+ ally, but at the time, he was at least up front about his stance.
So for Provorv, it would be best for him and others like him who hold these views to say what they really want to say and stop wasting people’s time.
Tororella also doesn’t do himself any better by sticking up for Provorv because it sends a troubling message to gay players. How would a gay player be able to feel as if they belong on a team coached by Tororella if he is willing to turn the other cheek to a teammate’s hostility? Very much in keeping of a man who seems to have no problem allowing certain viewpoints but not others.
While coaching Team USA during the 2016 World Cup, he said that he would bench any player if they protested during the playing of the national anthem.
So calling out racial injustice is not allowed by being anti-LGBTQ+ is?
Then the Rangers engaged in a complete public relations debacle with their lack of an explanation as to why the players didn’t wear the rainbow warmup jerseys. It again goes back to wanting to have all the benefits of the situation and try to keep all sides content.
Who are they ultimately trying to impress? How can Pride Night be acknowledged but the players have an option to not wear the jerseys as they have done so before? What has changed? What do they stand for?
These are questions worth asking not only to these three culprits, but to the NHL.
On Saturday, the NHL All Star Game will be taking place in Sunrise, Florida. A state that has become one of the most anti-LGBTQ+ states in the country with their recent legislative attacks on Trans students, gender affirming care, and LGBTQ+ history and education.
Bad optics for a league that says the game is everyone.
With these bungled attempts at promoting equality, the NHL has a lot of explaining to do and they need to completely reevaluate their whole inclusion campaign.
Otherwise, fans, commentators, and critics will continue to call a penalty for false promises.
