Several players for the Tampa Bay Rays chose not to participate in the organizations June 4 “Pride Night,” citing faith-based concerns.
The players declined to wear special caps with a multicolored Tampa Bay logo, opting instead for their everyday caps. Several players also chose to remove a rainbow sunburst decal from the sleeves of their jerseys.
“A lot of it comes down to faith, to like a faith-based decision,” pitcher Jason Adam, one of the players who chose not to wear the emblems, told the Tampa Bay Times. “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.”
‘Not unexpected’
Team officials said the move by the five or so players who opted out was not unexpected, as plans for the 16th annual event had been discussed for several weeks. Rays manager Kevin Cash said the discussions had been civil and productive.
“I think what it has created is, like, what you’ve heard — a lot of conversation and valuing the different perspectives inside the clubhouse but really appreciating the community that we’re trying to support here,” Cash told the Times.
In the past, the Rays have spoken out in support of other causes, including autism awareness, racial equality and gun violence awareness, the Times reported.
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