from Mark Lazerus of The Athletic,
The Blackhawks will become the third NHL team to decline to wear Pride jerseys during Pride Night, citing security concerns for their three players of Russian heritage, team sources confirmed to The Athletic.
Two Blackhawks sources stressed that the decision was made by team management and security officials, not by the players, but it’s another body blow to the Hockey is For Everyone movement that the NHL proudly touts, but all too frequently fails to back up.
A Russian law passed in December criminalized so-called LGBTQ+ “propaganda.” Since then, the Minnesota Wild and the New York Rangers opted out of wearing Pride-themed jerseys during warmups — typically, the jerseys have rainbow coloring and are auctioned off for charity.
Now the Blackhawks will join them, contradicting earlier statements from alternate captain Connor Murphy and team CEO Danny Wirtz.
continued ($)
Really a bad look for this of all teams given their recent history. So easy to dislike this organization. Also, wheres their Super Captain in all of this?
We're still blaming Putin? Hahahahahahahahahhahahahaahhahaha
Putin likes to think he's the best hockey player in the world, and that he's buds with all the big stars. I doubt he'd go after any of his good pals for wearing a Pride sweater for 20 minutes.
You're right. Maybe we should just blame the bigotry instead.
Chicago may not be the most progressive NHL city compared to LA or NYC but its gotta be near the top. Certainly it is the most cosmopolitan city in the Midwest. This cant be a great footing with respect to the fans, especially young ones.
Im also really questioning whether the Russian state passed that law for posturing or if they really want to jail their players for something their boss wanted them to do in another country. Presumably Russia wants most of these guys to show up for their Olympic team. Thats a hard ask for a guy you prosecuted for wearing a shirt that one time.
This is ducking the issue. Couch it however you like Hawks. All of these players have the resources to avoid Russian police. If they cant get on board, thats their choice (even an understandable one). But let them stand for themselves.
But why should we expect tasteful PR from the team with the most tasteless logo in the NHL?
Like I have said a few times. When does it end?
Interesting to see the people gobbling up the Russian angle to the story. Bigger point here is that GM's are siding with their teams and not the activists. Saying "you can come and be seen, be vocal, and be part of the night and we'll accept you, but when you start making demands the welcome mat gets rolled back up." They could have left good enough alone when Provorov sat out due to his own personal (religious / whatever) beliefs and that be the end of it, but instead the mob came after him and the organization. The product is the product, and the majority of fans that don't give two fucks about rainbow jerseys vastly outweigh the vocal minority. Not surprising though to see those that demand equality and inclusion to take out the pitchforks when someone they disagree with won't dance for them.
I guess I must be blind to have missed the mob that gathered outside of the United Center when this was announced. Or by mob did you mean people freely expressing themselves as theyre entitled to do in a newspaper column or social media? Or was that just hyperbole again?
And, again, Provorov didnt choose to step aside discretely. He commented on the matter publicly and still got to play that night. He got to have his cake and eat it too, the gentle lamb. When you play things that way, you get fallout, no matter what it is. No excuses.
Also, they could have left good enough alone [after Provorov]. Left what alone, exactly?
"Not surprising though to see those that demand equality and inclusion to take out the pitchforks when someone they disagree with won't
dance for them" include them.Fixed it for you.
It doesnt take a lot to imagine a sentence like that coming out of Alabama sixty years ago. Does it?
Create an Account
In order to leave a comment, please create an account.