For many years, the National Hockey League has participated in theme nights where the pre-game warm-ups would feature special warm-up jerseys. This practice has now ended. Announced last offseason The NHL’s decision to ban all special edition jerseys in the wake of the controversy over LGBTQ pride jerseys is a mistake and a step backwards for the sport.
I was shocked to hear the announcement that themed warm-up jerseys would be banned going forward because it was a unique way for NHL teams to support charities and local communities. Themed warm-up jerseys were a special part of the game because they often highlighted local artists in addition to raising awareness for good causes. Many teams Commissioned Artists Players would design special jerseys, allowing sport and art to coexist, and after the game, the jerseys were typically autographed by the players and then auctioned off. To support charitable causes.
Themed warm-up jerseys were used to draw attention to a variety of causes and celebrations, from St. Patrick’s Day to cancer fundraisers. lose The practice was scrapped altogether due to the negative attention Pride Knights received last season. 2013, One night a year, players wear rainbow jerseys during warm-ups to raise money for LGBTQ+ charities.
The bulk of the controversy began when Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov boycotted the team’s warm-up skate on Pride Night and refused to wear a Pride jersey on January 18, 2023. While speaking about the decision, Provorov said: Respect He acknowledged everyone’s choice but reinforced his decision not to wear the jersey. After the Provorov controversy, many of the team’s players decided to miss warm-ups. Staal BrothersThey argued that wearing the jerseys was contrary to their Christian beliefs. Minnesota Wild They even canceled pre-game warm-ups to protect their players from negative media attention.
This discussion of protections becomes much more complicated when you consider the current situation in Russia, where there are many Russian players in the NHL and Russia has a tough policy on player protections. LGBTQ+ Community Pride has been a hot button issue for years under President Vladimir Putin’s rule, and those opposed to celebrating Pride during pre-match warm-ups want to make it an issue of the safety of Russian athletes, even though there have been no consequences in the past.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the decision to do away with all special jerseys was Eliminate distractionsbut many Interpret It was used as a way to distract attention from players or teams who did not want to take part in Pride celebrations. This explanation became especially likely when rainbow tape was also used in Pride celebrations. BannedPride Tape is an important part of the warm-up on Pride Nights, Banned Before the 2023-24 season.
With Pride Month in full swing, let’s take a look back at how various teams handled the new rules regarding specialty jerseys.
Some teams have circumvented the rule that themed jerseys cannot be worn on the ice and have players Walk in Wear the jersey. In my opinion, this is the best way to honor and raise awareness for various causes without receiving backlash from the league. Posting a walk-in photo on social media can help get the cause out there while showing your support. Teams can sell the jerseys without the players wearing them, but the excitement for many fans is knowing the players are bringing attention to themselves, and in turn, to the charities involved.
Teams can try to spread a message about diversity, but now that we can speculate on what the NHL thinks on the matter, a lot of it rings hollow. Sports leagues use diversity only to satisfy those who want it, while at the same time making sure that those who don’t want to see that message can ignore it. A game that focuses on diversity should spread a message to everyone that everyone is welcome, but if that message is small enough to be ignored, then the league isn’t doing a good enough job.
Coyotes players have had their ban lifted from wearing Pride tape. Travis Dermott He ignored the rules and wore pride tape during the game. He said he wanted to be a good example because he has seen how hatred against the LGBTQ+ community affects those around him. His motivation to be a good example is exactly why the message of diversity in sports is important. It may seem silly that the rainbow tape has meaning, but if at least one kid watching the game feels accepted, that’s all that matters.
Jameson Keibler writes primarily about pop culture and current events. [email protected].
