You have to love the way You Can Play is handling the controversy taking place in Philadelphia since Tuesday night.
After the 5-2 Flyers’ win over the Anaheim Ducks, it was revealed that defenseman Ivan Provorov did not want to wear the team’s Pride Night-themed warmup jersey, stating his religion as the main factor.
The defenseman was the lone Flyer not to skate in warmups with the rest of his teammates wearing jerseys featuring a rainbow pattern on the nameplate and numbers, as well as sticks wrapped in Pride-themed tape. Those were to be auctioned off after the game with proceeds going to charity, with players like James van Riemsdyk and Scott Laughton being vocal supporters of the LGBTQ+ community, partnering with non-profit organizations and hosting members of the community at home games.
There was a response from the Flyers and the National Hockey League earlier today. The league said that its players can freely choose which initiatives to support.
But the You Can Play Project, which aims to ensure equality, respect and safety for all athletes, regardless of sexual orientation, also had something to say about Provorov’s decision, but decided to focus on what his teammates did with the perfect response on social Media per co-founder Brian Kitts:
“Thank you Flyers for an amazing pride night and the immense visibility and support your game brought to the community. Good teammates support each other, and we are thankful to all the Flyers players who supported the night and our mission of inclusion!”
Good teammates, hear that Ivan?
On top of that, Kitts revealed that You Can Play has reached out to the Flyers to offer support “on this continuing educational journey.”
Provorov could benefit from learning about the program.
The NHL and its players first partnered with You Can Play in April 2013. The group’s first campaign kicked off in 2012 following a 2010 car accident that took the life of 21-year-old Brendan Burke, the youngest son of Brian Burke, currently president. of hockey operations with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The NHL has never had an openly gay active player.
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