Team jerseys hold a mythical folklore in sports, although many would argue they have done very little to deserve that level of importance. After all, it’s just what a player wears and not what a player plays. We must set our sights on the game, not exuberant outfits. And the NHL is already listening.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman today confirmed that hockey teams will no longer be sporting the LGBTQ Pride jerseys during their games and warm-ups. The internet is aggressively commenting on this decision. While we see a few people unhappy with this decision, there are many who are hailing this step for the right reasons.
What’s in store for NHL fans?
As per a tweet shared by Graham Allen, we see the commissioner getting interviewed on this significant step taken from their end. According to the latter, the main reason for this conclusion has to be to reduce distraction among the players.
In January, NHL player Ivan Provorov refused to wear his team’s Pride jersey. He was offensively ridiculed and smeared. But he did not step back. And today, five months ahead of this issue, the team has officially banned the LGBTQ Pride jersey.
Is the NHL getting back its fandom?
Twitter has definitely differing opinions but most of them are celebrating this move by the NHL.
One user is upset with the fact that in the process of banning LGBTQ jerseys, there’ll also no more be hockey fights cancer jerseys, veterans jerseys, and so on. Some of them feel that these are genuine causes for which awareness needs to be raised.
For some people, it’s a huge transforming phase for hockey. It surely is a win, as more people will now watch the game.
This is a very valid point, what has LGBTQ got to do with sports? It’s best not to mix sports with cultural groups such as Pride as it reduces the focus of the players involved.
This gentleman wants this conclusion to spread across the board to other sports too. This is again an intuitive thought one would get during such a situation.
This user is wondering if the NHL would face any backlash. But looking at the responses, it’s clear that this decision is being lauded by all hockey enthusiasts worldwide.
Another user tweeted, that this is not a ban on these jerseys. It’s just that they will not be wearing it during games and warm-ups. The events will still be happening, and there will be the military jerseys, etc. too.
Ivan is being praised for having the ability to take a stand and stick to it firmly. Today, it’s his win after all.
Another user is of the opinion that there’s nothing wrong with promoting various causes, but the players must be allowed to participate in it at their discretion and not be forced to do it.
And the Internet Goes Non-Stop on This Issue…
There are also people who are against this agenda, like the above user who’s saying that the NHL has just lost a loyalist.
One user has mentioned that the NHL has removed all pre-game jerseys and not just the LGBTQ Pride.
Another tweet mentioned this move to be a complete money-making agenda and not anywhere close to being a distraction or being apolitical.
Another user calls it a smart decision, though it’s obvious that not everyone will have the same notion.
Another user comments that there has been a viewership agenda behind this step.
Spot on. As another person rightly comments, we watch the game and the gameplay and not such political agendas forced upon the players.
Gary’s words just got translated as per this Twitter user. Did you hear that?
Finally, a reality check! Sports are supposed to be about competition. You need to forget all other worldly things for a while, said another user.
NHL just got a new aficionado! Tweeted another user.
Sports must be fun, competition, sweat, and the spirit of the game must be intact. It must have no connection with social or political agendas, which serve as ready distractions in the gameplay. What is your opinion about this entire LGBTQ Pride affair?
* Article From: Essentially Sports
