During a Philadelphia Flyers NHL game, defenseman Ivan Provorov defended not only himself but his religion and team when it came to standing up for the morals he believes in…
Provorov made headlines after he opted out of hitting the ice during warm-ups due to the pregame promotion for the “LGBTQ+ community.”
During the promotion players were asked to wear “pride themed” jerseys that would bear their names in rainbow colors and rainbow tape around their hockey stick.
“I respect everybody and I respect everybody’s choices. My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion,” Provorov said when reporters questioned him about not being a part of the promotion.
When reporters continued to press harder and harder into his religious obligations the player explained to them that he is Russian Orthodox further explaining the meaning behind why he would not suit up.
Check out his response in the video below:
#Flyers Ivan Provorov on his Pride Night pregame boycott :
“My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion.” pic.twitter.com/YSFKvkyEJC— Dan Gelston (@APgelston) January 18, 2023
When reporters asked his coach, John Tortorella the head coach of the Flyers said that it’s up to the players to stand up for their convictions not him.
“He’s being true to himself and to his religion. … It’s one thing I respect about Provy, he’s always true to himself,” the head coach went on to say.
Check that exchange out below:
Flyers head coach John Tortorella defended Provy and refused to bench him tonight:
“He’s being true to himself.”
pic.twitter.com/ZPbbKMqFi1— Greg Price (@greg_price11) January 18, 2023
Despite standing up for himself, the Flyers defenseman has faced fierce backlash for not warming up with his team, Provorov has certainly made a name for himself in the sport and proved that not everyone in the industry is woke…
