Five Tampa Bay Rays players decided to not wear LGBTQ Pride-themed uniforms at the team’s annual Pride Night.
The Major League Baseball team from Florida added rainbow accents on its official uniforms in honor of Pride Month. This was done to support the LGBTQ community.
Five pitchers — Jason Adam and Jalen Beeks as well as Brooks Raley, Jeffrey Springs, Brooks Raley, Jeffrey Springs, and Ryan Thompson — refused to wear the Pride-themed jerseys due to religious beliefs.
Adam said that after Saturday’s game, he felt that many men decided to put it on their bodies. It’s not that they are judgmental of anyone or think differently. He added that it was just a lifestyle that some guys choose to avoid if they believe in Jesus Christ, who has encouraged them to do the same.
It’s not judgmental. It is not looking down. It’s what we believe and the lifestyle he has encouraged us to lead, for our benefit, not to withhold,” he continued. We love these women and men, we care about them and want them to feel safe here.
Thompson also defended Thompson’s decision to defend the group, telling WFLA (an NBC affiliate in Tampa Florida) that the team was “completely united” in its “love of the LGBTQ+ community.”
“I have not rendered any judgment. I cast no condemnation. He said that he only felt called to share his faith, which is the most important part of my life. “I respect each person’s freedom to live their lives as they wish and can guarantee to treat everyone the same regardless of their circumstances.”
Many professional sports teams have started Pride nights to celebrate the LGBTQ community in recent years.
The Pride symbolism has been used by two other MLB teams, the San Francisco Giants (MLB) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB). Both teams allowed their players to participate fully.
Cyd Zeigler was the founder of Outsports LGBTQ sports website and denounced the decision of the players not to wear Pride-themed jerseys. He also criticized the Rays management.
He said that people are misinterpreting what listening to management means about putting a rainbow flag in your uniform. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you support sex between males. Everyone is welcome at the ballpark.
Zeigler said, “It would be so much better if nobody had worn the rainbow stuff rather than if a few people did.”
Representatives of Major League Baseball and Rays did not immediately respond when NBC News asked them for comment.
