Team jerseys hold a mythical folklore in sports, although many would argue they have done very little to deserve that level of importance. After all, it’s just what a player wears and not what a player plays. We must set our sights on the game, not exuberant outfits. And the NHL is already listening.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman today confirmed that hockey teams will no longer be sporting the LGBTQ Pride jerseys during their games and warm-ups. The internet is aggressively commenting on this decision. While we see a few people unhappy with this decision, there are many who are hailing this step for the right reasons.
What’s in store for NHL fans?
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As per a tweet shared by Graham Allen, we see the commissioner getting interviewed on this significant step taken from their end. According to the latter, the main reason for this conclusion has to be to reduce distraction among the players.
BREAKING: NHL announces teams will no longer wear LGBTQ Pride jerseys!!
SANITY IS COMING BACK TO SPORTS!!
pic.twitter.com/nz6hPugAmw— Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen_1) June 23, 2023
In January, NHL player Ivan Provorov refused to wear his team’s Pride jersey. He was offensively ridiculed and smeared. But he did not step back. And today, five months ahead of this issue, the team has officially banned the LGBTQ Pride jersey.
Is NHL getting back its fandom?
Twitter has definitely differing opinions but most of them are celebrating this move by the NHL.
Unfortunately because of this, they’re also not allowing teams to wear the veterans jersey, hockey fights cancer jersey, among other pre game warmup jerseys.
— keasbeynight (@keasbeynight22) June 23, 2023
One user is upset with the fact that in the process of banning LGBTQ jerseys, there’ll also no more be hockey fights cancer jerseys, veterans jerseys, and so on. Some of them feel that these are genuine causes for which awareness needs to be raised.
Time to start watching the NHL
— Audio Affluenza (@AudioAffluenza) June 23, 2023
For some people, it’s a huge transforming phase for hockey. It surely is a win, as more people will now watch the game.
What the hell does LGBT have anything to do with sports anyway?
— Thoughts of a Woman (@savingtradition) June 22, 2023
This is a very valid point, what has LGBTQ got to do with sports? It’s best not to mix sports with cultural groups such as Pride as it reduces the focus of the players involved.
Hell yeah. Can we get more of this across the board everywhere…
— Prophecy 13 (@prophecy__13) June 22, 2023
This gentleman wants this conclusion to spread across the board to other sports too. This is again an intuitive thought one would get during such a situation.
Huge W, wonder if he'll do an about face after the imminent backlash.
— Hesh (@HeshComps) June 22, 2023
This user is wondering if the NHL would face any backlash. But looking at the responses, it’s clear that this decision is being lauded by all hockey enthusiasts worldwide.
They aren’t “banning” them. They just won’t wear them for warm ups anymore. Same goes for HFC, military, etc. The events will still go on and there will still be jerseys.
— Bay Area Sports Fan (@sjs3948) June 23, 2023
Another user tweeted, that this is not a ban on these jerseys. It’s just that they will not be wearing it during games and warm-ups. The events will still be happening, and there will be the military jerseys, etc. too.
Ivan the Great.
— Peter Henlein (@SwissWatchGuy) June 23, 2023
Ivan is being praised for having the ability to take a stand and stick to it firmly. Today, it’s his win after all.
It isn't just the alphabet mafia jerseys but also the military, cancer, and St Patrick's jersey nights as well. I'm fine with it. They can still do their nights to promote causes but aren't forcing the players into participating
— ItWasJustaDog (@berkey_eric) June 22, 2023
Another user is of the opinion that there’s nothing wrong with promoting various causes, but the players must be allowed to participate in it at their discretion and not be forced to do it.
And the Internet goes Non-Stop on This Issue
Me and my transgender 6 year old daughter will not be watching hockey ever again. You’ve just lost a long time viewer, NHL.
— . (@EITibu34) June 22, 2023
There are also people who are against this agenda, like the above user who’s saying that the NHL has just lost a loyalist.
This is not true, they removed ALL pre game jerseys. Can’t remove 90% of the info and only put 10
— マイケル (@ttvakroma) June 22, 2023
One user has mentioned that the NHL has removed all pre-game jerseys and not just the LGBTQ Pride.
Translation “this is losing us money pointlessly so we’re gonna stop doing it”
— Geralt (@DaWhiteWolf1776) June 22, 2023
Watch This Story: NHL Goat Wayne Gretzky’s daughter Paulina Gretzky steals the limelight with her outfit during Stanley Cup Finals
Another tweet mentioned this move to be a complete money-making agenda and not anywhere close to being a distraction or being apolitical.
Not everyone will agree but it’s a smart decision
— Natalia 🌸 (@cutienataliaa) June 22, 2023
Another user calls it a smart decision, though it’s obvious that not everyone will have the same notion.
NHL sees historically low viewership ratings and then comes to its senses.
— Johnny Connolly (@HereizzJohnny) June 23, 2023
Another user comments that there has been a viewership agenda behind this step.
Crazy. People just want to watch the game they turned on to watch and not propagandistic agendas stuffed into their mouths. I know you’re shocked.
— robbie wise (@RobbieWise91) June 23, 2023
Spot on. As another person rightly comments, we watch the game and the gameplay and not such political agendas forced upon the players.
I'm surprised he just didn't say "Play the damn game… that's what you're hired to do!"
— Grog Grueslayer (@grog_grueslayer) June 23, 2023
Gary’s words just got translated as per this Twitter user. Did you hear that?
Good, finally! Some based takes. Sports are supposed to be about celebrating competition and forgetting about the world for a little bit.
— Green Phoenix (@XGreenPhoenixX) June 23, 2023
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Finally, a reality check! Sports are supposed to be about competition. You need to forget all other worldly things for a while, said another user.
I just became an NHL fan!
— william borger (@williamborger5) June 22, 2023
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NHL just got a new aficionado! Tweeted another user.
Sports must be fun, competition, sweat, and the spirit of the game must be intact. It must have no connection with social or political agendas, which serve as ready distractions in the gameplay. What is your opinion about this entire LGBTQ Pride affair?