Luke Prokop was drafted by the Nashville Predators, of whom he is one of the best hopes.
Last year he revealed his homosexuality. To my knowledge, he is the only openly gay player currently signed in the NHL.
When we discover the initiations of junior hockey, when we see how some parents behave like animals in children’s games, we can imagine the courage that young Prokop needed.
It’s certainly no better in the NFL, NBA, MLB or MLS.
activists
Prokop said he was disappointed with the hiring of players James Reimer of the Sharks and Ivan Provorov of the Flyers.
The latter, citing their religious beliefs, refused to wear the rainbow sweater that has become the banner of the LGBTQIA+ gathering.
The Staal brothers just announced they will be doing the same for the same reasons.
Obviously, these players eat a lot in the media and on social networks. Many pro-diversity activists struggle with diversity of opinion.
It seems to have become socially acceptable to invoke one’s religion to justify oneself, unless it is the Christian religion.
The Chicago Blackhawks also refuse to wear the jersey because they have Russian players and a Russian law criminalizes public support for the LGBTQIA+ movement.
The Wild and Rangers players refused to wear it with no explanation. We guess the discussions in the dressing room.
The question here is not only whether we support this cause or not.
Did players refusing to wear it make disrespectful remarks? NO.
Did they endorse or condone anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric? NO.
The NHL, striving to adapt to the prevailing winds of our time, has taken on this cause regardless of player opinion.
Aside from the religious argument, could it simply be that many players refuse to be enlisted as militants without having consented to it?
Perhaps many are thinking, “I’m paid to play hockey, not to be an activist, and my opinions are my own.”
Suppose the leaders at my university champion a cause and ask all teachers to wear a button on the lapel of their jacket to promote it in class.
I would answer: I will make my own decisions, thanks, and I will respect my students by not forcing my views on them that they did not pay for.
Let’s quickly get to the fact that the acronym LGBTQIA+ encapsulates conflicting claims. For example, many lesbians believe that sex should take precedence over identity in prison or in sports competitions.
caught
Embarrassed, the NHL now tells the players: You don’t have to wear this jersey.
However, they alone must deal with being held accountable if they refuse this call-up. We caught her.
This is all the more hypocritical given that the NHL’s only real concern is profit. Seriously, do you doubt that?
