NHL player Ivan Provorov has sent the left into all out meltdown mode after he refused to wear a rainbow warm up outfit before a recent Philadelphia Flyers game.
“I respect everybody and I respect everybody’s choices. My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion,” Provorov said as he defended his decision to not wear the “pride” themed outfit.
The decision from Provorov has produced a large amount of commentary online and on sports broadcasting shows.
During a recent show, NHL Network analyst E.J. Hradek lost it when he suggested that Provorov should go back to Russia and fight in the Ukraine war.
The comment appears to suggest that Hradek wants the NHL player to go get himself killed fighting in Ukraine.
“The most senior US general estimates that around 100,000 Russian and 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed or injured in the war in Ukraine,” reported the BBC back in November.
That number is much higher now.
“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,” Hradek said.
“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,” he said. “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.”
Outkick weighed in on the comment, saying, “That last line was a reference to the ongoing war in between Russia and Ukraine. Which seems to mean Hradek believes the consequences of Provorov’s religious views should be him joining the Russian military and killing Ukranians, at least until the Ukranians kill him.”
“NHL analyst says on the NHL Network! that if Philly Flyers Provorov doesn’t want to wear a pro-LBGTQ uniform he should leave America, go back to Russia, and fight in the war against Ukraine. The tolerant left! Holy shit,” Clay Travis tweeted.
WATCH:
NHL analyst says on the NHL Network! that if Philly Flyers Provorov doesn’t want to wear a pro-LBGTQ uniform he should leave America, go back to Russia, and fight in the war against Ukraine. The tolerant left! Holy shit: pic.twitter.com/wWLFBy2stC
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) January 19, 2023
Hradek wasn’t the only journalist to have a meltdown.
WATCH:
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov didn’t take part in the NHL’s “Hockey Is For Everyone” pregame warmups – where players wore Pride-themed jerseys and used sticks wrapped in rainbow Pride tape – citing his religion as the reason. @sid_seixeiro shares his thoughts ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/8c7XnP2FYJ
— Breakfast Television (@breakfasttv) January 18, 2023