Tampa Bay Rays Players Refuse to Wear Pride Jerseys: ‘We Believe in Jesus’
By Movieguide® Staff
Several Tampa Bay Rays players refused to wear jerseys that celebrated LGBT pride earlier this month.
“A lot of it comes down to faith, to like a faith-based decision,” pitcher Jason Adam said on behalf of the players who opted out of the Pride Night regalia. “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.”
“It’s not judgmental. It’s not looking down. It’s just what we believe the lifestyle he’s encouraged us to live, for our good, not to withhold. But again, we love these men and women, we care about them, and we want them to feel safe and welcome here,” Adam continued.
Though team officials wanted all players to participate in the Pride Night, they respected the decisions of those who did not comply.
Adam has faced intense public backlash for his comments about his faith. On his Instagram account, several users have flooded comments on his photos with rainbow flags, emojis of clowns, and rude statements.
Adam has been incredibly vocal about his faith before, telling Sports Spectrum: “A true faith and living truly for Jesus is not church on Sunday then work. It’s together. It impacts everything — how you live and every conversation you have.”
Please pray that these athletes will continue to stand firm in their faith, no matter the consequences.
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