Brian Burke Shames James Reimer for Boycotting Pride Jerseys

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Mackenzie Stern-Kolesnikow
March 19, 2023 (12:58)

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Recently, James Reimer has made the news for his refusal to wear a pride jersey during the San Jose Sharks warmup on Pride Night.

This refusal has caused a lot of backlash.

Reimer Refused to Wear a Pride Jersey

Reimer also dragged former Leafs teammate Nazem Kadri into the argument, due to his Muslim faith, stating:

"In Toronto, Nazem Kadri as a teammate, loved him to death. I don't know exactly the extent of his faith, his Muslim faith. But he's a Muslim. I think you could talk to him and ask him if I treated him any different. I love him. I competed with him on the ice, we joked around, we did life together. And yet, people would understand if I wouldn't be able to wear a Muslim jersey in warmups, promoting the Muslim faith, being a Christian and a follower in Christ. He himself would fully understand that."

Reimer has also recently doubled down on his refusal to wear a pride jersey in a recent statement, he also acknowledged that this decision has lost him a lot of support from fans

The President of Hockey Operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins has recently made a statement in which he expressed his disappointment that certain players were refusing to wear pride jerseys.

"I repeat that I am extremely disappointed. I wish players would understand that pride sweaters are about inclusion and welcoming everybody. A player wearing pride colors or tape isn't endorsing a set of values or enlisting in a cause! He is saying you are welcome here. And you are, in every single NHL building"

Pride jerseys are causing significant controversy for all the wrong reasons, hockey should be for everyone.

As seen on Maple Leafs Daily -
Former Leafs goalie drags Nazem Kadri into Pride Night snub; Former Leafs GM Brian Burke publicly slams Reimer's decision