CBS Sports reports:
At least five players on the Tampa Bay Rays roster opted not to wear a patch the team added to their uniforms intended to celebrate Pride month in Saturday’s 3-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox (box score).
During the team’s 16th annual Pride Night celebration Rays caps and uniforms had logos colored in the style of the modern LGBTQ+ pride flag, but not everyone in the clubhouse chose to participate.
Pitchers Jason Adam [photo], Jalen Beeks, Brooks Raley, Jeffrey Springs and Ryan Thompson were among the players who did not wear the patch on their uniforms and chose to wear the team’s standard caps for the June 4 home game.
The Tampa Bay Times reports:
Adam, chosen by team officials to speak for the players who opted out, said it was primarily a matter of religious beliefs and not wanting to encourage the “behavior” of those in the LGBTQ+ community. “A lot of it comes down to faith, to like a faith-based decision,” Adam said. “
“So it’s a hard decision. Because ultimately we all said what we want is them to know that all are welcome and loved here. But when we put it on our bodies, I think a lot of guys decided that it’s just a lifestyle that maybe — not that they look down on anybody or think differently.”
“It’s just that maybe we don’t want to encourage it if we believe in Jesus, who’s encouraged us to live a lifestyle that would abstain from that behavior, just like (Jesus) encourages me as a heterosexual male to abstain from sex outside of the confines of marriage. It’s no different.
Today, we wear our #Pride on our sleeves pic.twitter.com/bcOLJNhx6Y
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 4, 2022
Tampa Bay Rays players refused to wear the Gay Pride logo on their uniforms this weekend — saying their religious beliefs wouldn’t allow it, but also saying they accept everyone. https://t.co/YuLjXTSjNc
— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) June 5, 2022
In an effort to make their commitment to the LGBTQ+ community more visible, the Rays added rainbow-colored logos to their Pride Night caps and uniforms. But not all players wanted to be included. #Rays #PrideNight https://t.co/t1bgNw8qAv
— Sports by Tampa Bay Times (@TBTimes_Sports) June 4, 2022