Editorial

‘Against Our Christian Beliefs’: Eric And Marc Staal Refuse To Wear LGBTQIA+ Jerseys On Florida Panthers’ Pride Night

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Eric and Marc Staal didn't take part in the Florida Panthers pregame skate Thursday after refusing to wear the team's LGBTQIA+ Pride Night warmup jerseys. [YouTube/Screenshot/Public — NHL]

[YouTube/Screenshot/Public — NHL]

Andrew Powell Sports and Entertainment Blogger
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I’m not too proud of my Florida Panthers, but I am of the Staal brothers.

Eric and Marc Staal, brothers who play for the Florida Panthers, didn’t take part in the team’s pregame skate Thursday night after refusing to wear the Panthers’ LGBTQIA+ Pride Night warmup jerseys, citing their Christian beliefs.

The Staals, however, were in the lineup for Florida during their 6-2 defeat to the Toronto Maple Leafs,and they also participated in the Panthers’ morning skate.

“After many thoughts, prayers and discussions we have chosen not to wear a pride night jersey tonight,” said the Staal brothers in a statement released by the Florida Panthers. “We carry no judgement on how people choose to live their lives, and believe that all people should be welcome in all aspects of the game of hockey. Having said that, we feel that by us wearing a pride jersey it goes against our Christian beliefs.

“We hope you can respect this statement, we will not be speaking any further on this matter and would like to continue to focus on the game and helping the Florida Panthers win the Stanley Cup.”

Here’s a look at the Florida Panthers‘ Pride Night warmups:

The Cats also waived this flag outside of the FLA Live Arena:

It’s still ‘Go Panthers’ for me, but it’s a bit disappointing to see them join the rest of the NHL on this Pride Night nonsense, especially after all of the controversy. With the exception of the Staal brothers, they were all in on it. But it’s not the most surprising thing in the world with the huge homosexual population in South Florida.

Personally, I don’t have a problem with what anybody does in the bedroom, it’s whatever, I think we overblow (all of us as a society) what’s in our pants and put way too much of a focus into sex, so I just think it’s silly that a professional hockey team feels the need to get involved with a “Pride Night.” That’s my whole thing here. Just stick to hockey, man.

I stand with the Stall brothers, and to their credit, the Panthers stood with them as well and respected their decision. [RELATED: Memphis’ Jamirah Shutes Punches BGSU’s Elissa Brett And Nearly Knocks Her Out (And Now Police Are Investigating)]

So, like I said, it’s still ‘Go Cats,’ but moving forward, let’s just focus on winning a Stanley Cup and that’s it.

We’ve never won a championship in our entire franchise history, and quite frankly, I want a ring. So let’s stick to that.