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Ivan Provorov Doesn’t Fear the Backlash
As much as it pains me to say something positive about a member of the Broad Street Bullies, I saw this story Tuesday night: “Flyers’ Provorov cites religion for boycott on Pride night.”
Ivan Provorov is a defenseman for the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers had their “Pride Night” last night, where the players wore “pride” jerseys during warmup and many players used rainbow-colored tape on their sticks. All NHL teams have such an event each season; I usually just ignore the “woke” stuff and enjoy the game (no matter what teams are playing).
Provorov, an Orthodox Christian, was having none of it:
Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov cited his Russian Orthodox religion as the reason he did not participate in pregame warmups when the team wore Pride-themed jerseys and used sticks wrapped in rainbow Pride tape.
He spoke briefly about it after the game:
“I respect everybody’s choices,” Provorov said after the game. “My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion. That’s all I’m going to say.”
Flyers coach John Tortorella, never one to shy away from benching a player, said this:
Flyers coach John Tortorella said Provorov “was true to himself and to his religion.”
“It’s one thing I respect about Provy, he’s always true to himself,” Tortorella said
Of course, now Provorov is persona non grata to the woke:
Let me get this straight, you have a player that OPENLY declines to participate in an inclusive initiative for a community I am proud to be a part of. And you still dress him in the game? Be better @NHLFlyers https://t.co/rSyV6D35Oo
— Erin Ambrose (@ambrose_13) January 18, 2023
Rod Dreher has a blog in support of Provorov here. As Dreher puts it, “Provorov Lives Not by Lies.”
Good for Ivan Provorov for standing up, and to Torts for backing his player. I await the reaction from the league.
Published in Sports
It is not enough to them to live and let live, but we who disagree must celebrate their beliefs as well. Indeed-“Live Not by Lies.” Sometimes not speaking is exercising freedom of speech.
If two consenting adults want to have homosexual relations in private, it’s none of my business. It becomes my business when they insist I celebrate it.
Of course, the outrage towards Provorov and Torts is increasing. No word from the NHL, which I expect real soon now.
Trying to find a link, but reports are that the NHL says the players have a right to choose which initiatives they support. Makes sense, since a) this is still a free country and b) all these “initiatives” by the league (and pretty much all corporations) are performative.
Benching him for the game would also violate the CBA.
Good for Provorov and the coach! We all have to fight back against this type of tyranny!
“You WILL celebrate.”
Great. When he declines to participate in outreach to Jewish fans because his faith tells him that the Jews killed Jesus I’m sure his faith will be equally applauded.
I guess we’ll see what happens if the NHL ever devotes a day to celebrating Judaism. Ditto with Islam. (Won’t happen.)
Of course, the NHL’s statement would still apply, as would the CBA negotiated between the NHL and the NHLPA.
I think you’d find that most people have abandoned that belief for a very long time, Zafar.
Ditto with the gay is bad thing, Susan. So a bit off topic.
Are you familiar with the Orthodox Church’s current teaching on “the Jews killed Jesus”? I don’t think it’s what you assume.
Are you asking me or Zafar? I don’t specifically, so if I’m wrong, enlighten me.
Sorry. I’m asking @Zafar. You are not wrong, Susan.
My point is not whether the Jews killed Jesus or not. I was wondering whether you support someone acting on their beliefs as a matter of principle, or whether you only support someone acting on beliefs that you agree with.
You made an assumption as to what Provorov’s beliefs are. At least that’s what a reasonable person would take your statement to mean. For the record, the Orthodox Church no longer teaches that, but they do teach that homosexual relations, as well as all relations outside a marriage, are sinful.
To answer the question you claim you asked, yes I would. Would I like it? No. But that doesn’t matter.
No.
Well a defensive person whose institutions of choice have some rocky history on this might.
Why do they no longer teach that? What changed?
What might we expect them to teach about homosexual relations in the future?
I’m happy to hear it.
Edited to add:
Okay, I re-read my comment and it could be taken to be about this guys actual beliefs about Jews. But it could also be not taken that way. But anyway, I get that it could be.
Look, it’s tough enough being a Flyers fan this year. I could do without off ice controversy. Ivan is a solid, throwback, defensive defenseman. The Flyers brought him up at 19 or 20, he could skate, handle the puck out of the defensive end not make the stupid pass or play. Doesn’t look like the kind of guy who will star on my fantasy team (better in real life than fantasy.) He does his job every night an logs a ton of minutes. Kind of a gem.
I think he’s done the franchise proud here. A Russian who will not go along with compelled speech. Hundreds of Americans and Canadians across the NHL going along whether they agree or not.
And “Pride Month” isn’t til June. My guess is gay activists are jealous of MLK.
I say we find out what Provorov likes to do in the bedroom and make jerseys celebrating that. Boob man? No problem. Leg man? No problem.
But will his teammates wear them?
Do you have any reason that he will fail to participate “in outreach to Jewish fans?” Or are you just seeking to start an argument?
(Edit: Corrected typo.)
Unintentionally hilarious! Outreach to Jews!
Dennis Prager always says about the team naming controversy (“Redskins” supposedly offends indigenous Americans (maybe 10%)) he can only dream of a team named after the Jews. Can you imagine fans screaming on the sidelines, “Go Jews!!” “Defense, Jews!!” “Yay Israelites!!”
Jews are an outgroup with the predominant leftwing progressive woke culture. Always have been, and almost assuredly always will be.
Did you consider that maybe Provorov’s religion considers pride a sin — even a mortal sin (heaven forefend) that guarantees one’s separation from God (and all that is good and holy)? Maybe his religious objection to the pregame performance has less to do with homosexuals and more to do with celebrating the sin of pride?
I suppose not. It seems gays need to be affirmed or else they believe themselves to be hated at every turn.
I had not considered that. I admit it seems unlikely to me. But….maybe it’s true. Anything ‘s possible, right?
It’s a characteristic of many minorities. So, perhaps?
Perhaps what? That they are hated at every turn? Not sure what you mean.
So this is an insulting and defaming example of something that you are making up.
Why is it necessary to publicly celebrate and promote any group’s private sexual practices? This is perverted. When do the Flyers plan on celebrating those who practice coitus between men and women?
…need to be affirmed or else they believe themselves to be hated at every turn.
I think churches did teach this at some point – it’s not made up.
I’m sure many of the hockey players get a lot of practice in that area. Chicks dig hockey players.
Then maybe they should have pride parades and a National “Hockey Stick Chick Day.”