In season seven, episode nine of "Seinfeld," Kramer participates in an AIDS walk where he's given a red ribbon to wear. Everyone's got one, but Kramer doesn't want to wear it. Despite his eagerness to walk, his refusal to wear the pin did not sit well with the lady handing them out or the other participants. He is bullied and eventually cornered by an angry mob of ribbon-wearers who rough him up. The scene is said to be inspired by the "Seinfeld" staff's frustration with being pressured to wear the AIDS ribbon during the Emmy Awards.
The scene from the hit series is the perfect example of modern pride nights during sporting events. Won't wear one because of your religious beliefs? Prepare to be hounded by reporters, pressured by higher-ups in the league, and ruthlessly bullied on social media. That's what happened in January to the Philadelphia Flyers' Ivan Provorov, who refused to don a pride-themed jersey and use a hockey stick with rainbow tape due to his Orthodox Christian faith. The left completely lost its mind.
Now, they're melting down once again over San Jose Sharks' James Reimer opting out of his team's pride night.
In a statement, Reimer cited his Christian beliefs.
"For all 13 years of my NHL career, I have been a Christian — not just in title, but in how I choose to live my life daily. I have a personal faith in Jesus Christ who died on the cross for my sins and, in response, asks me to love everyone and follow him," he said. "I have no hate in my heart for anyone, and I have always strived to treat everyone that I encounter with respect and kindness.
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"In this specific instance, I am choosing not to endorse something that is counter to my personal convictions which are based on the Bible, the highest authority in my life," he added.
A statement from Goaltender, James Reimer: pic.twitter.com/GwhWxhbmb4
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) March 18, 2023
Christian NHL player James Reimer, refuses to bow and wear 🌈 ‘pride’ jersey! pic.twitter.com/pxz4H01fiz
— KoryYeshua (@KoryYeshua) March 20, 2023
Cue the meltdown:
A statement from Brian Burke after James Reimer refused to wear the Sharks’ Pride Night warmup jersey. pic.twitter.com/TFYetnQdZU
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 20, 2023
.@TaraSlone and @BrodieNBCS discuss James Reimer not wearing a Pride jersey during warm-ups pic.twitter.com/uqxz3wRn2A
— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) March 19, 2023
Wikipedia never disappoints. pic.twitter.com/uqquOSxwUT
— Michael LoRé (@michaellore) March 18, 2023
This is unacceptable both from the player and the club to put this out on official feed. This man should have no place in the NHL
— Paul Newman (@Paul_NewmanDM) March 19, 2023
Hopefully, like Provorov, Americans will reward Reimer for his courage in standing up to the woke mob.
