James Reimer’s statement about refusing to wear Pride-themed practice jerseys has succeeded in doing one thing – taking the heat off his bosses
By now, an unknown number of NHLers have refused to wear Pride-themed practice jerseys. This small protest group might be called the Two Rs .Everybody inremembers Reimer as a decent goalie with the Maple Leafs and an especially lovely guy. When a player first arrives in the bigs, they have a charming, can’t-believe-I-made-it-here quality.
So when Reimer said in a statement that he believes “every person has value and worth,” that rings true. I can think of a hundred players who, if they’d written the same thing, I’d think, “Yeah. Sure.” But not Reimer. These days, people toss off the word ‘kind’ like it doesn’t mean much. It does. ‘Kind’ is an impossibly high standard. Most of us fail to meet it every day. If you’re going to go throwing that word around in statements, the next few lines should not amount to, ‘And here’s why I disagree with you …’“I am choosing not to endorse something that is counter to my personal convictions, which are based on the Bible, the highest authority in my life,” Reimer wrote.
Were I Reimer and felt the need to make a statement here, I’d have gone shorter – “I’m a hockey player, not a candidate for political office. My beliefs are my business.” It started with the Philadelphia Flyers and Ivan Provorov, the original Pride jersey refuser. Social media jumped on Provorov with both feet. Based on recent history in other entertainment businesses, the next step should have been the team and the league tripping over themselves to apologize and beg forgiveness.
The NHL is for inclusion. It has a special night for it. The NHL is also for free speech. It encourages that. The NHL is also for religious exemptions to its inclusion policy. It said that with free speech.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NHL: Sharks' James Reimer declines to wear Pride jerseySan Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer says the team\u0027s decision to wear Pride\u002Dthemed jerseys runs counter to his religious beliefs.
Read more »
Former Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer refuses to wear Sharks’ Pride Night warm-up jerseysReimer cited his religion as the reason for refusing to wear the Pride warm-up jersey before a game against the New York Islanders on Saturday.
Read more »
San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer will not wear Pride Night jerseyThe veteran goalie said that his faith precludes him from wearing the uniform.
Read more »
San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer declines to wear Pride jersey over religious beliefsThe 35-year-old Canadian said the decision was based on his Christian beliefs, adding that all LGBTQ+ community members should be welcomed in hockey
Read more »
'PERSONAL CONVICTIONS': Sharks' Reimer declines to wear Pride jerseySan Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer says the team\u0027s decision to wear Pride\u002Dthemed jerseys runs counter to his religious beliefs.
Read more »
'PERSONAL CONVICTIONS': Sharks' Reimer declines to wear Pride jerseySan Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer says the team\u0027s decision to wear Pride\u002Dthemed jerseys runs counter to his religious beliefs.
Read more »