(100percentFedUp) On Tuesday, the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers held their team’s Pride Night, during which defenseman Ivan Provorov refused to wear the gay pride warm-up jersey, citing religious beliefs. After this, a senior reporter for the NHL Network shamed Provorov for his personal decision and said he should leave America and go back to his homeland of Russia to fight in the war against Ukraine.
Ivan Provorov
On Tuesday night, the Philadelphia Flyers wore custom warm-up jerseys that were pride-themed, and many players wrapped their warm-up sticks with rainbow tape. However, Provorov, who is Russian Orthodox, decided that he would not be participating in the Pride celebration due to his religious beliefs.
After the game, Provorov spoke briefly to the press about his decision, saying, “I respect everybody’s choices. My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion. That’s all I’m going to say.”
Although the Pride ‘festivities’ lasted only about 15 minutes, the woke media has blown up over one player’s refusal to take part.
One reporter, E.J. Hradek, went too far with his criticisms of the Russian defenseman simply because he disagreed with his stance.
Hradek, a senior reporter on the NHL Network, publicly ranted on air about Provorov’s decision to not partake in the Pride celebration, making some shockingly intolerant statements.
NHL Network Sr. reporter E.J. Hradek
“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 seethed.
The reporter then suggested that Provorov wasn’t “assimilating” into “American culture” enough, and should therefore return to Russia. This statement was particularly shocking because it implies that everyone in America shares the same religious and personal beliefs.
“He’s been in North America for a long time,” continued Hradek. “He played in the Western Hockey League, he’s now been in Philadelphia for many years… 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.”
Hradek then suggested that Provorov go back to Russia and join his country’s war against Ukraine.
“I understand there’s a conflict of sorts going on over there,” Hradek said, referencing the Russian-Ukrainian war. “Maybe get involved.”
Hradek, through his rant, suggested that everyone who comes to America must leave behind their cultural values, their religion, and their personal beliefs, or else they are not welcome here.
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
Although he was expected to publicly condemn his player, Flyers’ head coach John Tortorella refused to give into the pressure of the “tolerant” Leftist media. He impressively defended Provorov’s decision at a press conference Thursday morning.
The reporters asked Tortorella why he didn’t bench the 26-year-old player after he refused to wear the Pride jersey. Tortorella had a fantastic response for them.
“Why would I bench him?” He asked. “Because of a decision he’s making on his beliefs and his religion?”
