We’ve drooled over some hot hockey players over the years, including some cuties who support the LGBTQ+ community. But it’s safe to say Ivan Provorov (upper left) will never make that list. The NHL player for the Philadelphia Flyers refused to take part in the team’s annual Pride Game festivities last night, citing his religion as the reason. (Can I get a collective “Fuck you!”?)
As part of the wider “Hockey is for Everyone” initiative by the NHL in support of (among others) the LGBTQ+ community, many teams host annual Pride Games where players wear special Pride warmup jerseys and use warm-up sticks adorned with rainbow tape. The jerseys and sticks (which look pretty cool!) are then auctioned off to help local charities in efforts to grow the game in diverse communities. (To reiterate: This is just for the 20-minute warmup period, not the full game…which Ivan actually did play in, the team wearing its standard jerseys.)
Prior to last night’s game against Anaheim, the Flyers also hosted a pre-game skate for local LGBTQ+ youth and officers from the Greater Philadelphia G.O.A.L. organization (Gay Officers Action League)—whose mission is to advocate for and on behalf of LGBTQ+ first responders and military members, educate first responders in LGBTQ+ cultural humility, and provide community outreach to advance relations between the LGBTQ+ public and first responder agencies.
https://twitter.com/NHLFlyers/status/1615439572103577600
It’s all a great cause, and frankly doesn’t require too much effort on the part of most players. Except it was apparently too much to ask of defenseman Ivan, who didn’t take the ice during warmups—the only Flyer player not to—saying afterward, “I respect everybody’s choices. My choice is to stay true to myself and my (Russian Orthodox) religion. That’s all I’m going to say.” Umm, you know that’s the opposite of respect, right Ivan? (And “choices”? Really?!)
As noted by Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Giana Han: “Provorov was later asked if he had any concerns that not skating in warmups would impact his game status. ‘Did you not hear what I just said? Can you respect that?’ Provorov said. The Flyers also jumped in to shut down any other questions on the issue.”
Flyers are sporting Pride warm ups, which look like their black practice jerseys with the numbers and names in rainbow colors. pic.twitter.com/vFG7p6ViPN
— Giana Han (@giana_jade) January 17, 2023
Ivan is a stark contrast to Flyer Pride ambassadors Scott Laughton and James van Riemsdyk, who have stepped up through various initiatives to help the community. As continued in Han’s article: “Laughton admitted it’s tough when the team isn’t making a united stand, but he said the organization and the league have made a lot of progress. ‘I think we’ve had those conversations, and I think they’re ongoing,’ Laughton said. ‘It’s come a long way throughout the years since I’ve been here, since they started You Can Play, everything like that. And it’s been great.'”
The NHL released a statement today: “’Hockey is for Everyone’ is the umbrella initiative under which the league encourages clubs to celebrate the diversity that exists in their respective markets, and to work to achieve more welcoming and inclusive environments for all fans. Clubs decide whom to celebrate, when and how—with league counsel and support. Players are free to decide which initiatives to support, and we continue to encourage their voices and perspectives on social and cultural issues.”
Flyers coach John Tortorella said Provorov “was true to himself and to his religion. It’s one thing I respect about Provy, he’s always true to himself.”
Ok, this might be the best Gritty… butterfly Gritty who twirls, does splits and has a sign stating “Love is beautiful.” pic.twitter.com/fmH0jt5QZW
— Giana Han (@giana_jade) January 18, 2023
As noted by TSN: “Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, leader of Russia’s dominant religious group, sent a strong signal last March justifying his country’s invasion of Ukraine—describing the conflict as part of a struggle against sin and pressure from liberal foreigners to hold ‘gay parades’ as the price of admission to their ranks.”
Luke Prokop, a Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman for the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League (and a prospect for the Nashville Predators), became the first active player under NHL contract to come out as gay in 2021. He tweeted this today:
https://twitter.com/lukeprokop_6/status/1615769235187453952
So let me get this straight, Ivan: You can’t spend 20 minutes wearing a jersey with small rainbow colors on it, support inclusiveness and help lower the suicide rates of young LGBTQ+ teens…but it’s okay for Russia to slaughter innocent Ukrainians? Got it. Dick.
A REAL MAN FOR STICKING TO HIS BELIEFS AND NOT LETTING THAT LGBT BS GET SHOVED DOWN HIS THROAT. I’M 100% WITH THIS GREAT MAN. WHICH WE HAD MORE LIKE HIM INSTEAD OF THOSE COWARDS THAT WORE THOSE JERSEYS. LGBT……. ORG. SHOULD BE DECLARED A TERRORIST GROUP. THEY ARE AN EVIL GROUP OF PEOPLE. LIKE SOME OF THEIR FOLLOWERS.
homophobic transphobic piece of shit. If he loves Russia that much then can go back suck putins dick and fight for his country instead of being here. deport him
Whoa. You’re so mad. Do you even know who this man is? Lol
I have no problem with him not wearing something he doesn’t agree with or want to be identify with. It’s called individual freedom. I would not wear any Republican or religious symbols that I don’t want to be identified with.
Yup! People who ask for diversity need to understand that diversity of opinion and values is included.
Nobody minds their own business anymore. What someone does is not YOUR business, its THEIRS.
Good For Him. Love this tough guy. Fk those that speak evil of him. Also Very Happy his Jerseys have sold out in America because of this.
Good, that’s his business.
Free country that’s his right. Yes, I’m gay.
I don’t know why religion gets a free pass when it comes to homophobia . So many bigots hide behind it and this guy seems to be one of them.
Excusing your prejudice based on religious belief just doesn’t cut it in 2023. Hate is hate.
Imagine being upset at someone for not wanting to wear a pride jersey? Even actual gay people don’t like wearing pride merchandise. It’s annoying, not to mention ugly.
Right on Jake.
From my experience people that use the religion card hide behind it as to not say what they really feel. I hope he is a virgin, otherwise we would know it’s not a religious stance. He is entitled to his opinion, but if it is religious it should cover a whole lot of other things.
Lol at all these people crying “fascism” in the comments. Ivan isn’t taking a principled stand here, he’s just being a homophobic hypocrite by claiming his religion is what’s stopping him from wearing the pride jersey. Not working on the Sabbath is another big commandment in Christianity and yet we don’t see him taking those days off, do we? Stop defending bigots!
We aren’t defending bigots. We’re standing up against them. That’s why we’re calling out the author and people like you.
The most important value is freedom of expression for all, not allegiance to my pet cause. That is a value worth standing up for, including against those we share allegiance with on other causes.
Ivan Provorov is a piece of worthless shit. American Taliban for listening to religious believes of this religious leader hater , Patriarch Kirill who justifies his monster master Putin senseless slaughter of innocent Ukrainian civilians in a senseless war and why because of the evil gay parades around the world ? I hope one day soon that hate mongers like Putin and Kirll are roasting in hell for their sins again humanity . Anyone who says Provorov is correct should know he is a hater of his fellow man too ! Just like his masters Putin and Kirill !
Compelling someone to do something overtly political is wrong. Tar and feathering someone because they don’t want to fly the new religious symbol of intersectional marxism is wrong. Being gay will not be hijacked by political dogma anymore.
Stop it. Stop be creepy authoritarians guys.
Leave this man alone, he doesn’t want to bang you and he’s hotter than , most likely, all of you.
Well said.
Well I for one dislike russians and dont support those people since they like to invade countries
He’s not the Russian government. He’s a sports athlete. We’re discussing wearing a pride flag jersey, not the honor of the motherland.
Leave your Rusophobia for another conversation.
Allowing other people their opinions & to engage in their own behaviors, is the definition of respect. Unfortunately, the author of this article doesn’t quite get that. This player does not wish to engage in activity which goes against his religious practices. Why is this a difficult concept to understand? Oh, could it be heterophobia?
If you support Kaepernick then you have to tolerate this dude. That doesn’t mean that you ignore his actions, just don’t tar and feather him.
right on.
Good For Him. Love this tough guy. Fk those that speak evil of him. Also Very Happy his Jerseys have sold out in America because of this.
Please, pray tell, what does the gay community gain from trying to coerce a str8 religious man into donning pride paraphernalia?
I’m getting really sick and tired of these fascist goose-stepping tactics to force participation and capitulation in an event that hardly even represents the gay community any longer, let alone a str8 religious guy’s community.
Do us all a favor and get down off your sanctimonious moral outrage cross, someone else needs the wood.
The only collective “fuck you” I’ll be tossing at anyone, is the author of this hit piece.
Don’t tell me . . . You’re a Log Cabin Republican.
Don’t tell me … you’re someone who likes name calling because you lack the mental and emotional capacity to address the central argument itself.
LOL, been a liberal since I was fifteen and marched in the candlelight vigil for Harvey. Been fighting for gay rights ever since, what have you done, other than being a feckless troll?
You’re a fool. Just because this person is gay doesn’t mean he’s a Democrat. That’s like saying all black people are Democrats. You have your beliefs they have there’s. Our gay friends are both Republicans and Democrats. That’s their business. Get a grip.
Typical Liberal you are. Just because your gay means you’re a Democrats. NOT. All blacks are Democrats right, NOT. What are you calling them? This man has the right NOT to wear gay pride colors.
Of course it’s from “ANONYMOUS” lol. How do you know he’s straight and religious comrade or just a bigot?
Go to the Blaze or OAN or the right-wing propaganda shitholes to spew your lies. We dont want you here.
And yes FUCK YOU.
What’s amusing is the fact you know all the conservative sites, yet accuse me of being one because I disagree with with villainizing a religious str8 guy for not wanting to don a pride uniform.
Unlike you, I don’t put my str8 friends through a litmus test just to hang out with me.
What a friggin’ hypocrite, either that or maybe you’re just projecting and deflecting.
I’m here too and I say Fuck You. You don’t like “anonymous” opinion tuff shit. I don’t know who anonymous is and don’t give a fuck. My name is Brian. Does it matter, NO. You get all upset just because someone doesn’t agree with you, boo hoo. Crawl back into mommy’s basement she’ll bring you some milk and cookies. Oh, and stop watching the View.
Workplace dress codes are not fascist lol.
Yeah, just like hooters isn’t misogynistic.
So when your employer tells you to wear a shirt with a KKK flag on the front and a Confederate flag on the back to honor Southern history for their Mississippi clients, that’s definitely not fascist. That’s just smart capitalism, right?
The employee who refuses on moral grounds should definitely be subject to termination, right?
I agree. It amazes me that people cannot accept the religious beliefs of others. (And please don’t assume I’m log cabiny—-my dick’s been in more NHLers than any of you would believe.
When it comes to professional organized sports, no one should be forced to wear anything to show support to LGBT causes or any other cause. It should be a personal decision. There are other ways to support numerous groups without facing retribution.
Bravo!
Ummm … so your official stance is that you’re against freedom of expression and freedom of religion and want everyone to comply with your dress code in the name of freedom of expression?
Yeah. That is extremist fascist nonsense. Clearly, the political gay movement has become WAY too powerful and needs cooler heads in charge to reassess their goals.
Maybe focus on Pride marches in Saudi Arabia or in Moscow or even in Louisiana … where it’s needed.
Fight governments and institutions bigger than you who are actively hurting people. If you’ve become the big institution that’s picking on people for failing to follow your dress code to demonstrate allegiance, then you’ve absolutely lost. You’re the thing that must be fought against.
Either operate from an ethical viewpoint, which means those ethics apply to your group FIRST, or expect to be ousted.
Always be against fascism.