Hockey star Ivan Provorov who plays for the Philadelphia Flyers, is a devout Russian Orthodox Christian and that has caused the woke mob to have a nervous breakdown.
From the Associated Press:
Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov cited his Russian Orthodox religion as the reason he did not participate in pregame warmups when the team wore Pride-themed jerseys and used sticks wrapped in rainbow Pride tape.
The 26-year-old Provorov boycotted the pregame skate with his teammates before Tuesday night's game against Anaheim as the Flyers celebrated their annual Pride night in celebration and support of the LGBTQ+ community. He played nearly 23 minutes in Philadelphia's 5-2 victory.
“I respect everybody's choices,” Provorov said after the game. “My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion. That's all I'm going to say.”
Flyers coach John Tortorella backed up his player stating that Provorov "was true to himself and to his religion."
“It’s one thing I respect about Provy, he’s always true to himself,” Tortorella added.
“I respect everybody and I respect everybody’s choices. My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion.”
Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov on refusing to wear a rainbow jersey for warm ups during “Pride Night” due to his Russian Orthodox faith.
pic.twitter.com/wCUl8slmRB— Greg Price (@greg_price11) January 18, 2023
Let me get this straight, you have a player that OPENLY declines to participate in an inclusive initiative for a community I am proud to be a part of. And you still dress him in the game? Be better @NHLFlyers https://t.co/rSyV6D35Oo
— Erin Ambrose (@ambrose_13) January 18, 2023
The NHL did respond and also backed up the player.
"Players are free to decide which initiatives to support, and we continue to encourage their voices and perspectives on social and cultural issues," the league said in an official statement.
The @NHL has responded to ESPN's request for comment on @NHLFlyers defenseman Ivan Provorov, who declined to take warmups last night because he refused to wear a Pride Night jersey.
From the NHL: pic.twitter.com/Q6SlKQwmWM
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) January 18, 2023
Liberal journalists were incensed that Provorov wouldn't take a knee.
UPDATE: Journalists are now crying on air bc Provorov wouldn’t wear a Pride jersey pic.twitter.com/GFfCYQsRYb
— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) January 18, 2023
Ivan Provorov rejected Pride Night.
Ivan Provorov played 22 minutes and 45 seconds on Pride Night.
The Flyers tried to have their cake and eat it too. In doing so, they sabotaged their own inclusivity effort.
Column:https://t.co/9mli4ReUQm
— Matt Larkin (@MLarkinHockey) January 18, 2023
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov refused to wear a jersey for Pride Night.
He then told the media he “respects everybody.”
His reasoning for refusing? His religion.
Hiding behind it is homophobic.
Shameful he played last night. pic.twitter.com/BhtzSicInV
— Colin Kaepernick 7️⃣ Was Exiled Exercising Rights (@RickStrom) January 18, 2023