Another team sparks ‘Pride jersey’ controversy, but this time, over player safety concerns!

And another bites the dust. Days after San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer did not take part in pregame warmups last Saturday, saying the team’s decision to wear Pride-themed jerseys runs counter to his religious beliefs, another team is refusing to wear the jerseys.

According to insider Mark Lazerus of the Athletic, the Chicago Blackhawks will not wear their Pride jerseys on Sunday, per team sources.

“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,” explains Lazerus.

On top of Reimer not wearing the Pride jerseys on Saturday, there were also the New York Rangers, Islanders and Minnesota Wild that decided not have players wear Pride jerseys during warm-ups on Pride Nights. It all started when Philadelphia Flyers’ Ivan Provorov refused to wear the themed jersey and did not part take in his team’s warmup for the cause in January citing religious beliefs.

The NHL’s only openly gay player, Nashville Predators defenseman Luke Prokop voiced his disappointment following the controversy surrounding Reimer.

While players in Chicago appear to be on board with wearing the Pride jerseys, it sounds like it’d be too dangerous for them to do so over Russia’s anti-LGBTQ “propaganda” law.

This is the official statement from the Blackhawks :

More from Lazerus: "Nikita Zaitsev, Philipp Kurashev and Anton Khudobin all have Russian heritage, so the team's security officials made the call. I don't know if there was any pushback from players. I hope there was.

"I wish the Blackhawks would just let those three players sit out warmups so the others can participate freely, but the argument against that is then those players have to make statements, statements which could put them in a situation to speak ill of the Russian government."

This says a lot about how hockey and the entire world should be for everyone and geez, we aren’t there yet. How sad.

Recommended articles:

• NHL's only openly gay player releases statement regarding Pride Night protests
• Brian Burke calls out James Reimer over 'Pride Night' controversy.
• James Reimer drags Nazem Kadri into the 'Pride Night' controversy.
• James Reimer doubles down on 'Pride Night' protest.
• James Reimer explains why he won't wear a 'Pride Night' jersey.