News/Commentary

NHL player cites Bible, faith in Jesus Crist to explain refusal to wear LGBTQ-themed jersey

March 19, 2023 | | Print Article

An NHL player and his team are facing both praise and backlash over his decision to not participate in the league’s Pride Night celebration this Saturday.

James Reimer, a goaltender for the San Jose Sharks, specifically refused to wear a Pride-themed warmup jersey as per his religious beliefs.

In a statement shared by his loyal team, he said that his decision had nothing to do with hate in his heart. It had to do simply with his religious convictions.

View the full statement below:

“Under the umbrella of NHL’s Hockey is for Everyone initiative, the San Jose Sharks have chosen to wear jerseys in support of the LGBTQIA+ community tonight. 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 life daily. I have a personal faith in Jesus Christ who died on the cross for my sins and, in response, asks me to love everyone and follow him,” he said.

“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,” he added.

“I strongly believe that every person has value and worth, and the LGBTQIA+ community, like all others, should be welcomed in all aspects in the game of hockey,” Reimer concluded.

Yet despite him going out of his way to stress that he has no issues with LGBT members of society participating in hockey, the backlash was swift. And not surprisingly, much of it came from so-called “journalists” (writers, editors, etc.).

Here’s a staff writer for The Athletic:

Here’s a “15-year combat sports writer and broadcaster”:

Here’s a “Daily mail cricket correspondent”:

Here’s a “freelance journalist”:

Here’s a “freelance speechwriter/journalist”:

Here’s a GameSpot writer:

Here’s a “sports journalist”:”

The examples go on for days.

Some regular, everyday Americans also bashed Reimer and his team, but it’s just notable how so-called “journalists” always manage to join the often hateful pile-on whenever anybody fails to abide by the authoritarian diktats of the LGBT community.

Meanwhile, the team released its own statement pledging its own support for Pride Night but also noting that it respects Reimer’s decision to boast his own beliefs.

“Continuing a long-standing commitment of allyship with the LGBTQIA+ community, Sharks Sports & Entertainment is extremely proud to host our 2023 Sharks Pride Night. This week’s events, culminating with tonight’s game against the New York islanders, reinforce our organization’s values and dedication to an inclusive, welcoming, and safe environment for all guests in each of our venues,” the statement reads.

“As we promote these standards, we also acknowledge and accept the rights of  individuals to express themselves, including how or whether they choose to express their beliefs, regardless of the cause or topic,” it continues.

It concludes with the team once again stressing that “we will not waver in our support of the LGBTQIA+ community.”

Look:

This statement also provoked backlash.

That being said, there has also been plenty of praise from those who recognize that true tolerance means accepting all views, even those you disagree with.

“James, thank you for standing up for your beliefs. It seems that many who oppose your civil stance don’t believe you should be employed. So much for being ‘inclusive.’ That’s called ‘discrimination’ and ‘tyranny,'” one supporter tweeted.

See more praise below:

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Vivek Saxena
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