ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – JUNE 04: A detail of the Tampa Bay Rays pride burst logo celebrating Pride Month during a game against the Chicago White Sox at Tropicana Field…
(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)June is Pride Month, which means you normally see a lot of companies change their logos to rainbow colors to celebrate LGBT rights. The Tampa Bay Rays hosted their 16th annual Pride Night on Saturday against the Chicago White Sox to support the gay community in Tampa/St. Pete, however not everybody was on board.
A few players on the team decided to opt out of wearing the pride logo on their jersey and cap during the game. According to the Tampa Bay Times, at least five Rays baseball players -- pitchers Jason Adam, Jalen Beeks, Brooks Raley, Jeffrey Springs and Ryan Thompson -- declined to wear the uniforms which featured rainbow logos on the caps and jerseys. This has had everyone talking on social media, even fellow athletes around the league.
Adam spoke for the protesting players stating that the decision wasn't "judgement based" and that they chose not to wear the rainbow logo because they "Believe in Jesus, who's encouraged us to live a lifestyle that would abstain from that behavior." Adam stated that it was a hard decision because "Ultimately, we all said what we want is them to know that all are welcome and loved here."
Rays head coach Kevin Cash is proud of the Rays organization for hosting important events such as Pride Night to show support for the very active St. Pete LGTBQ community. He is also proud of his players for having difficult conversations like these and still be able to come together as a team.
Kevin Kiermaier, Rays outfielder stated that his parents taught him to "love everyone as they are, go live your life, whatever your preferences are, go be you."
It wasn’t originally the season opener for the Rays. It was just going to be the home opener. But it all worked out as the Tampa Bay Rays held on to a 2 to 1 lead to kick off the 2022 season with a win. Check out these shots from a sold out Tropicana Field.
Baltimore Orioles v Tampa Bay Rays
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - APRIL 08: A detail of the bases ahead of the Opening Day game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field on April 08, 2022 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Baltimore Orioles v Tampa Bay Rays
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - APRIL 08: A general view during the Opening Day game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field on April 08, 2022 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Baltimore Orioles v Tampa Bay Rays
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - APRIL 08: Randy Arozarena #56 of the Tampa Bay Rays greets his teammates during the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field on April 08, 2022 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Baltimore Orioles v Tampa Bay Rays
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - APRIL 08: A general view during the Opening Day game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field on April 08, 2022 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Baltimore Orioles v Tampa Bay Rays
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - APRIL 08: Yandy Diaz #2 of the Tampa Bay Rays scores a run in the third inning during the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field on April 08, 2022 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Baltimore Orioles v Tampa Bay Rays
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - APRIL 08: Yandy Diaz #2 of the Tampa Bay Rays is congratulated after scoring a run in the third inning during the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field on April 08, 2022 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Baltimore Orioles v Tampa Bay Rays
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - APRIL 08: Shane McClanahan #18 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches during the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field on April 08, 2022 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Baltimore Orioles v Tampa Bay Rays
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - APRIL 08: Anthony Santander #25 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates a solo home run in the sixth inning with Jorge Mateo #3 during the Opening Day game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 08, 2022 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Baltimore Orioles v Tampa Bay Rays
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - APRIL 08: Dillon Tate #55 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches in the fifth inning during the Opening Day game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 08, 2022 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Baltimore Orioles v Tampa Bay Rays
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - APRIL 08: Brooks Raley #30 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates winning the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field on April 08, 2022 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Baltimore Orioles v Tampa Bay Rays
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - APRIL 08: Brett Phillips #35 of the Tampa Bay Rays hits in the ninth inning during the Opening Day game `az at Tropicana Field on April 08, 2022 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Baltimore Orioles v Tampa Bay Rays
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - APRIL 08: Ji-Man Choi #26 of the Tampa Bay Rays is congratulated after scoring the go ahead run in the eighth inning during the Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field on April 08, 2022 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
