Philadelphia Flyers' Ivan Provorov refuses to wear LGBTQ+ Pride Night jersey, cites religious beliefs

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov did not participate in the team's LGBTQ+ Pride Night festivities Tuesday night — which included wearing a rainbow-themed warmup jersey prior to the Flyers' game against the Anaheim Ducks. 

The 26-year-old Provorov, who says he is Russian Orthodox, explained that he chose not to participate because of his religious beliefs. 

"I respect everybody's choices," he told reporters after the game at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, which the Flyers won 5-2. "My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion."