‘True To Myself And My Religion’: NHL Player Ivan Provorov Refuses To Participate In Team’s ‘Pride Night’ Festivities

Dillon BurroughsJanuary 18, 2023

Ivan Provorov, Philadelphia Flyers defenseman, refused to go on the ice during warmups in order to observe “Pride Night” Tuesday: He cited his Christian faith.

Provorov decided not to take part in the team promotion to show support “LGBTQ+ community.” The pregame skate included players wearing Pride-themed jerseys that displayed their names and numbers in rainbow colors and holding hockey sticks wrapped in rainbow-colored tape before the Flyers’ home game against the Anaheim Ducks.

“I respect everybody and I respect everybody’s choices. My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion,” Provorov spoke to reporters after the match.

Provorov said that he believes in Russian Orthodox Christianity, but made no comments.

“I respect everybody and I respect everybody’s choices. My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion.”

Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov refused to wear a rainbow jersey during warm-ups “Pride Night” Because of his Russian Orthodox faith.
pic.twitter.com/wCUl8slmRB

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) January 18, 2023

Flyers head coach John Tortorella defended Provorov’s decision to stand for his convictions.

“He’s being true to himself and to his religion. … It’s one thing I respect about Provy, he’s always true to himself,” Tortorella said.

Tortorella was also asked by a reporter whether he would consider keeping Provorov out the game because of this decision. The Flyers coach responded no to the question, and declined other questions.

Provorov continued to play following the Pride Night festivities. The Flyers beat the Ducks 5-2.

Many hockey fans were divided by the issue. SB Nation NHL Editorial Director Steph Driver blasted the player’s refusal to take part.

“Ivan Provorov was allowed to play in a game for the Philadelphia Flyers – the organization that was the first to say that you will be removed from the arena if you utter a homophobic slur – after refusing to wear a Pride logo for warm ups,” Driver tweets “What an absolute disgrace.”

Ivan Provorov was allowed to play in a game for the Philadelphia Flyers – the organization that was the first to say that you will be removed from the arena if you utter a homophobic slur – after refusing to wear a Pride logo for warm ups.

It is an absolute shame.

— Steph Driver (@StephaliciousD) January 18, 2023

Others were quick to support Provorov’s choice to skip the pregame activities.

“My new favorite hockey player is Ivan Provorov @NHLFlyers. I also respect peoples [sic] choices, but that doesn’t mean I have to support them. Way to go Ivan!” One user tweeted.

Although the Flyers issued a statement after the game, they did not mention Provorov.

“The Philadelphia Flyers organization is committed to inclusivity and is proud to support the local LGBTQ+ community,” The statement said. “Many of our players are active in their support of local LGBTQ+ organizations, and we were proud to host our annual Pride Night again this year. The Flyers will continue to be strong advocates for inclusivity and the LGBTQ+ community.”

It’s not the first time Pride Night festivities have divided professional athletes. At least five Tampa Bay Rays players were injured in June refused to wear rainbow-themed logos as part of the team’s Pride Night promotion.

“It’s a hard decision,” Jason Adam is the pitcher said. “Because ultimately we all said what we want is them to know that all are welcome and loved here. But when we put it on our bodies, I think a lot of guys decided that it’s just a lifestyle that maybe — not that they look down on anybody or think differently — it’s just that maybe we don’t want to encourage it if we believe in Jesus, who’s encouraged us to live a lifestyle that would abstain from that behavior, just like (Jesus) encourages me as a heterosexual male to abstain from sex outside of the confines of marriage. It’s no different.”