Sidelines: Ivan Provorov and inclusivity in sports
Ivan Provorov of the Philadelphia Flyers sparked controversy when he did not participate in the team’s Pride Night. (Photo courtesy of NBC News)
On Tuesday, Jan. 17, the Philadelphia Flyers celebrated Pride Night. Well, all except one of them did.
Ivan Provorov, a defenseman for the Flyers since 2016, declined to participate in the team’s warm-ups that night, during which players were sporting special rainbow jerseys and used rainbow tape on their sticks.
In his post-game interview, Provorov cited his Russian Orthodox beliefs as the reason for his absence from warm-ups. “I respect everyone. I respect everybody’s choices,” he said. “My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion.”
This was a disappointing turn of events that undermines the purpose of Pride Night. I truly understand that people have a right to espouse and stand by their religious beliefs, however much I may disagree with this one in particular. I also understand that wearing rainbow jerseys doesn’t solve the homophobia and transphobia in this country.
Neither of those statements is the point of this column. The crux of the issue is that Provorov’s actions essentially send the message that queer people are unwelcome in the NHL — both on the ice and in the stands. The purpose of Pride Night is to send the message that “hockey is for everyone.” Provorov’s actions indicate the opposite.
To put it clearly: by refusing to take the ice for Pride Night warmups, Provorov said that he did not believe in the message of the evening, which is essentially stating that he would not want to share the ice with a queer player. The Flyers weren’t asking him to walk up to a microphone and say, “I support marriage between two men.” They were asking him to show that the space was welcoming to all types of people, and it clearly is not.
I love the Philadelphia Flyers and I have always liked Provorov — his ice time is always minutes above anyone else on the team — but they missed the mark here.
The reaction to this event is also a prime example of the toxicity of the sports community that makes it harder for me to be an active fan every time something like this comes up. The comments on every news story about this controversy are full of people, mostly men, writing “new favorite player” and “on my way to buy his jersey,” plus a slew of much more explicit and vile things I won’t repeat in my beloved Lafayette newspaper.
The same thing happened with the Trevor Bauer story when the MLB player was suspended for two years after an investigation into several accusations of sexual assault. When a network reported any updates, thousands of comments victim-blamed, called his accuser a liar or a gold-digger and hoped Bauer would come to their team.
How are women, queer people in the case of Provorov or honestly anyone who isn’t a straight man supposed to be fans when the messages from players and fans alike are begging them to stay away?
Maddie (she/her) is a junior English major pursuing a Government/Law minor. In the rare moments she's not writing, editing, or talking about her beloved...
Matthew Murphy • Feb 5, 2023 at 9:57 pm
Madeline, Like Ivan Provorov, you are well within your right to state your views. I’m sure we can both agree how great it is to live in a country where this is freely allowed to take place. I, personally, agree with Provorov’s choice to boycott the Pride night warmups. He has chosen to not take part in something that celebrates what his faith disagrees with. In this country, why is that wrong? If there is a “military appreciation night” and a player chooses not to participate, is that wrong?
You make the statement, “…that Provorov’s actions essentially send the message that queer people are unwelcome in the NHL — both on the ice and in the stands.” I find that statement to be a massive misrepresentation of this man’s actions. I assume you agree that any player skating in the Pride Night event with a Pride themed jersey is agreeing with, if not celebrating, what the LGBTQ+ stands for. In my opinion, you have made an error in assuming his actions equate to queer people being unwelcome.
Because we disagree with someone’s view on a certain issue does not mean we dislike them as a person, or view them as unwelcome in our homes or communities. It does not mean he doesn’t want queer people attending games or playing on the ice, it means he doesnt support that lifestyle. Why should he be forced to do that?
You go on to say, “…by refusing to take the ice for Pride Night warmups, Provorov said that he did not believe in the message of the evening, which is essentially stating that he would not want to share the ice with a queer player.” Again, and I am not trying to hammer you, I am confused as to why you are making these assertions. He certainly never said he would not want to share the ice with a queer player. His actions, at least it seems to me, expressed he does not support the LGBTQ+ lifestyle. Again, why is that wrong?
Another statement you make, “They were asking him to show that the space was welcoming to all types of people, and it clearly is not.” This would be another, in my opinion, assumption on your part. I would bet whatever little money I have (school teacher 😉 that Provorov, if asked, would not want LGBTQ+ or most any group of people to feel unwelcome. He is saying I have a right to what I believe and should not be forced to support something I am not supportive of. That makes sense to me.
Though I understand your misreading of this situation (obviously, that is my opinion), your comparison of Provorov’s boycott to another athlete’s sexual assault accusations to be wreckless and obtuse. I have no idea what would cause you to compare a boycott with the horrible, if true, actions of sexually assaulting another person, but I would ask you to truly take a step back and reevaluate your choice.
It seems to me, and if I am speaking out of turn I apologize, that you most likely subscribe to what we would call the ‘tolerance movement’ of the past 10 years+. It is my understanding, based on personal experience and what I have heard and read, that tolerance has come to mean “you agree with and accept all views.” However, those who espouse this view are, ironically, intolerant of anyone who disagrees with them.
I truly hope this letter to the editor is received in the loving way in which it was intended.
Respectfully,
Matt Murphy