San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer will not participate in pregame warmups Saturday night time, saying the crew’s resolution to put on Delight-themed jerseys in help of the LGBTQ neighborhood runs counter to his spiritual beliefs.
Reimer mentioned in an announcement Saturday that he made the choice primarily based on his Christian beliefs, including that he “all the time strived to deal with everybody with respect” and that members of the LGBTQ neighborhood ought to be welcome in hockey.
“On this particular occasion, I’m selecting to not endorse one thing that’s counter to my private convictions, that are primarily based on the Bible, the best authority in life,” Reimer mentioned.
Reimer is the second NHL participant this season to refuse to participate in warmups with Delight-themed jerseys, with Philadelphia’s Ivan Provorov declining to in January. Reimer was not slated to start out in Saturday night time’s residence sport in opposition to the New York Islanders, which is Delight night time.
Moreover, the New York Rangers opted to not put on Delight jerseys or use Delight stick tape as a part of their night time in January regardless of beforehand promoting that plan.
The Sharks mentioned in an announcement that they’re proud to host Delight Evening, saying the occasion reinforces the crew’s dedication to inclusiveness.
“As we promote these requirements, we additionally acknowledge and settle for the rights of people to specific themselves, together with how or whether or not they select to specific their beliefs, whatever the trigger or subject,” the crew mentioned in an announcement. “As a company, we is not going to waver in our help of the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood and proceed to encourage others to have interaction in energetic allyship.”
The You Can Play Mission, which works to advertise inclusiveness in sports activities, mentioned the group was upset in Reimer’s actions.
“Faith and respect usually are not in battle with one another, and we’re definitely upset when faith is used as a motive to not help our neighborhood,” the group mentioned. “Sporting satisfaction jerseys, like all celebration jersey worn, will not be in regards to the private emotions of an athlete; reasonably the communication from the crew {that a} neighborhood is welcome within the enviornment and the game.”
___
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
