Mark Lazerus on Twitter: The Blackhawks will not wear their Pride jerseys on Sunday, per team sources.
The Blackhawks will not wear their Pride jerseys on Sunday, per team sources.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) March 22, 2023
by TheKevinShow
@Chicago Blackhawks
38 Comments
https://twitter.com/marklazerus/status/1638663922957033473?s=46&t=7BvVgLHPsP8aatPO3Js9SA
> Safety concerns over Russia’s anti-LGBTQ “propaganda” law are behind the team decision not to wear the jerseys, sources say.
>
> I’m told this was an organizational decision, and didn’t come from the players.
>Safety concerns over Russia’s anti-LGBTQ “propaganda” law are behind the team decision not to wear the jerseys, sources say. I’m told this was an organizational decision, and didn’t come from the players.
Fuck Russia.
How convenient. đ
Wasnât aware they moved the game to Russia.
Doesn’t this spit in the face of Connor Murphy who came out and said the Hawks are all on board and made a bold statement that they’ll support a month ago or so??
Edit: a week ago lmfao https://twitter.com/marklazerus/status/1633683069415886848?s=46&t=0LLq9J51S3JL1sH5RA_HcA
I hope Connor Murphy steps up in some way or form.
Such a chicken shit decision. This is America, why the fuck do we care what Russia thinks of our actions?
This was a PR layup for the franchise, especially with Murphyâs vocal support for the jerseys, and they managed to fuck it up. What a joke.
I’m sorry, I thought this was America.
But, seriously, short of one of the Russian players’ families being in danger this is just another awful PR move.
Nobody should be forced to do something they dont want
Russia is đ©
On Sunday, I wish the UC would be filled with Pride and Ukrainian Support stuff as a large fuck you to Russia.
“Russia” lol. As if there isn’t a full fledged anti-LGBTQIA+ fucked up genocide right here in ‘Murca (before you freak out, the laws and regression fit the Genocide Convention’s definition of genocide, not your understanding or the US dictionary definition)
They’re pandering to bigots. This isn’t about safety; this was an easy excuse to avoid it.
As someone who really has appreciated the Pride representation, I don’t think it’s worth risking individuals’ lives for. And I don’t think it’s worth all the fake/Twitter outrage its going to cause. It’s a decision to protect humans, and I’m always for that. I tend to think of Panarin’s experience in cases like this.
Couldn’t they wear the jerseys during a closed practice, so they can still be auctioned off as “player-worn” but it doesn’t have to be visible to the public or televised? After all, Murphy said what he said, and this decision doesn’t erase that. I still believe the players are all in for Pride.
Fuckin’ Russia strikes again.
If several Russian players are going to be the backbone of decisions for a league based in North America we should sit them and continue on course. Absolutely chicken shit decision making.
Hawks PR disaster train keeps on rolling.
Next: Russia will kill the family of the players who have family there if they donât throw this game. Russia will kill everyone if they donât come out to the press conference with âI love Vladâ t-shirts. Russia will kill everyone related to NHLres if they have a haircut thatâs not approved by the kremlin. Russia will nuke the United Center if Zaitsev wears anything resembling a rainbow. Something something slippery slope. Alternatively, they donât give two shits and that was just the low hanging fruit excuse to not take a stance on the matter.
In a city as blue as Chicago, this is especially disappointing. They couldâve made this same statement and said theyâre choosing to remove those 3 players from warmups out of an abundance of caution but the rest of the team continues to show their support. Itâs nice theyâre still doing other things for Pride night, but this is the one people are going to be talking about.
The “players with Russian heritage” is a convenient excuse that allows the team not to take a clear position on the issue. Once again, I am incredibly disappointed in this franchise.
Connor Murphy shakes his head in disappointment.
I hear Russia doesnât like the US military. Maybe do away with military appreciation night.
I really hate how this idea has turned into “let’s show that everyone is welcome to enjoy the game” to “let’s put a massive spotlight on every single person or organization who chooses not to participate.” Fucking ridiculous.
This is embarrassing. Nice work Hawks on another fuck up.
Blackhawks are such a shit franchise
The Hawks are not the only team to have done this. the Rangers did it the other week also
We still have a long way to go in this country
Good
Can the hawks make a decision that doesnât make me want to stop supporting?
Better not see a military night cause Iâm sure Russia wouldnât like that either.
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Mark wonât sleep for weeks over this.
Fuck that. Players should tape their sticks and numbers with rainbow tape anyway.
I blame the media’s absolute obsession with Pride night jerseys. Led by garbage “journalist” Laz. If this were treated like every other themed warmup jersey night no one would care. Knowing they wouldn’t be subjected to hatred, bigotry and interrogations disguised as “an interview” a player could quietly beg out of wearing any themed night warm up jersey.
But with this incessant media spotlight comes consequences and repercussions. Because anyone not wearing a pride jersey will be investigated and reported on with more rigor than the Trump / Biden election, it is now “a thing”.
I was at the 2022 season Hawks pride night last year and actually thought the jerseys looked kinda like cool. There was no big microscope on the wear / don’t wear decision. Plus it is a VERY small part of pride night speaking from experience.
Too bad the agenda ridden political operators like Laz have to ruin what otherwise would have been a nice night.
Since when do the laws of a terrorist country apply to America? Sell the team.
Fuck this team. Seriously. Let the Russians sit out of warm ups if they are worried for their safety. Others have already done exactly this in the league. Fuck the Hawks.
Is there any reason left to root for the Blackhawks? What a complete embarrassment of an organization. Buffalo and Arizona fans are even cringing.
I am once again asking you, to support my idea of throwing Wirtz into the fucking lake