In what they’re calling a “faith-based decision,” at least five players on the Tampa Bay Rays declined to wear an LGBTQ+ logo on their jerseys to celebrate pride month.
The MLB players decided they would not participate in wearing the logo patch along with their teammates during the organization’s 16th annual Pride Night celebration, instead choosing to wear the regular team hat for the June 4 home game, per the Tampa Bay Times.
The five players named—all pitchers—were Jason Adam (pictured above), Jalen Beeks, Brooks Raley, Jeffrey Springs and Ryan Thompson.
“A lot of it comes down to faith, to like a faith-based decision. So it’s a hard decision,” said Adam. “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.”
Team manager Kevin Cash claimed the decision did not lead to any internal problems with players. “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 said of the pitchers declining to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community along with their teammates.
Adam, who refers to himself as a “Christ follower” in his Twitter bio, responded to Keith Olbermann suggesting he “read the Bible once or twice” and questioned where Jesus said what he was referring to in the Times statement.
“I promise you my intention was never to shame anyone. My greatest desire is to love and live like Jesus every day. A short article could never capture my whole heart on the subject,” he said. “If you’re open to it, I’d love to sit down 1 on 1 and have an all encompassing discussion w/ you.”
