The left fully has its hooks in the world of sports.
Professional sports have steadily become more political in recent years.
And ESPN went bonkers when a Christian NHL player refused to do one thing.
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov caused a firestorm when he refused to wear a rainbow jersey for an LGBTQ+ Pride event.
Provorov cited his religious faith as Russian Orthodox, saying, “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 for warm ups during Pride night stating his Russian Orthodox faith.
“I respect everybody and I respect everybody’s choices. My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion.”pic.twitter.com/YorVLBbcwY
— OutKick (@Outkick) January 18, 2023
Needless to say, the left went absolutely ballistic.
ESPN NHL writer Greg Wyshynski tried to hammer Provorov for wearing a military appreciation jersey.
Of course, Ivan Provorov is more than happy to play pregame dress-up when it does align with his belief system. pic.twitter.com/rOG0uoCsf4
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) January 18, 2023
Wyshynski’s “gotcha” moment was anything but.
Provorov explained that the LGBT jersey was against his beliefs, which was the entire point.
If he had refused to wear a military appreciation jersey, which is his right, the liberals in the media might have deemed him a hero.
Wyshynski later branded people “homophobes” who responded to his ridiculous tweet.
He wasn’t the only sports analyst to condemn Provorov.
E.J. Hradek of NHL Network said, “Ivan Provorov can get on a plane any day he wants and go back to a place where he feels more comfortable, take less money, and get on with his life that way if it’s that problematic for him…If this is that much of a problem for him to maybe assimilate into his group of teammates and in the community and here in this country; that’s okay…Listen you can feel any way you want, but the beauty is, if it bothers you that much, there’s always a chance to leave…Go back where you feel more comfortable. I understand there’s a conflict going on over there; maybe get involved.”
So Provorov should “go back” to Russia and risk death in the Ukrainian War.
This is what the “tolerant” left believes when people disagree.
Canadian sports analyst Sid Seixeiro said that the NHL should fine Provorov $1 million for his “insulting” comments.
Seixeiro added, “The theme from the National Hockey League is that hockey is for everyone, okay? The theme isn’t hockey is for everyone dot, dot, dot unless you don’t believe in gay rights then do whatever you want…If the National Hockey League is going to do this, if any league is going to do this, do it properly or reevaluate what you’re doing because there’s not a lot of repercussions that I’m seeing from any league.”
A similar media freakout happened last year when members of the Tampa Bay Rays chose not to wear patches on their jerseys.
Despite the left-wing conniption, it appears as though it may have backfired.
From Outkick:
“Just a few short days after most in the mainstream media crucified Ivan Provorov, his Philadelphia Flyers’ jersey has officially sold out online at both the NHL Shop and Fanatics. Both websites are advertising their Provorov jerseys as ‘almost gone’ as the only men’s jerseys left are size extra-small.”
It turns out that people don’t like the unbearable far-left scolds.