Flyers' Provorov Cites Religion for Not Participating in Warmups for Pride Night

WITH WHY HE MADE THE DECISION AND HOW THE TEAM IS RESPONDING. BRENNA. >> Reporter: YEAH, THE FLYERS BEAT THE ANAHEIM DUCKS 5-2 LAST NIGHT, BUT IT IS WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE THE GAME THAT YOU MENTIONED THAT HAS A LOT OF PEOPLE TALKING TODAY. DEFENSEMAN IVAN PROVOROV REFUSED TO WEAR A JERSEY LIKE THIS ONE FOR WARM-UPS LAST NIGHT. FLYERS WHO WERE PARTICIPATING IN THEIR ANNUAL PRIDE NIGHT WHERE THE TEAM WEARS RAINBOW IN SUPPORT OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY. THIS MORNING SOME ARE SAYING, WHILE PROVOROV HAD THE RIGHT NOT TO WEAR THE JERSEY, THEY BELIEVE HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN

BENCHED FOR THE REST OF THE GAME, TOO. PROVOROV CITED HIS RUSSIAN ORTHODOX BELIEF WHEN ASKED WHY HE WOULD NOT SHOW HIS SUPPORT FOR THE GAY COMMUNITY. HERE IS WHAT THE HEAD COACH HAD TO SAY. >> HE’S BEING TRUE TO HIMSELF AND TO HIS RELIGION. THIS HAS TO DO WITH HIS BELIEF IN HIS RELIGION, AND IT IS ONE THING I RESPECT ABOUT HIM. HE IS ALWAYS TRUE TO HIMSELF AND SO THAT’S — THAT’S WHERE WE’RE AT WITH THAT. >> Reporter: IN A STATEMENT THE FLYERS ORGANIZATION SAID IN PART, THE PHILADELPHIA FLYERS ORGANIZATION IS COMMITTED TO INCLUSIVITY

AND IS PROUD TO SUPPORT THE LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY. MANY OF OUR PLAYERS ARE ACTIVE IN THEIR SUPPORT OF LOCAL LGBTQ PLUS ORGANIZATIONS. THE FLYERS WHO WORE THE JERSEYS FOR WARM-UPS LAST NIGHT SIGNED THEM AND THEY WERE PUT UP FOR

AUCTION. SO FAR THEY HAVE NETTED TH