John Tortorella Defends Ivan Provorov From Some Of The Media
PUBLICATION
S. HarperJanuary 20, 2023 (12:26)
Ever since the media revealed that Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Ivan Provorov refused to participate in the Flyers warmup Tuesday night due to him being against wearing the Flyers Pride sweaters due to his religious beliefs the hockey world has been fairly divided, with some respecting Provorov's decision while others have Criticized him and some want him out of the NHL.
Before the Flyers game Thursday night some of the media would as Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella if Provorov would be punished or made to sit a few games even.
However, Tortorella who's never afraid to speak his mind would back Provorov from the media saying:
Look. As I said before, Provy did nothing wrong. Just because you don't agree with his decision, doesn't mean he did anything wrong.
Let me put it to you this way, in my experience. I think it was back in �16 when I was asked a question about the flag. That's when [former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin] Kaepernick was sitting. He wasn't kneeling. He was just sitting at that time. They asked me, if a player sits, what would you do? And what did I say, I said the player would sit the rest of the game. I was wrong. I learned a lot through that experience. My feelings toward any type of protest toward that flag, during that anthem, it disgusts me. To this day, it disgusts me. It shouldn't be done. I can't push those feelings onto someone else. So I was wrong in saying that back then. Didn't realize I was. But I went through it all, it was �who I am to push my feelings onto someone else?'
Same situation here. Provy's not banging a drum against Pride Night. He quietly went about his business. Him and I had a number of conversations to how we were going to do this. You have the team, you have him, you have all this going on. Talked to [Scott Laughton]. Went through the whole process there. [Provorov] strongly felt with his beliefs. And he stayed with it. And that was discussed, prior up to that.
But I'm trying to make a correlation to how I was wrong. You asked me if I was going to bench him? Why would I bench him? Because of a decision he's making on his beliefs and his religion? It turned out to be a great night for Pride Night. Players were involved. The building was filled.
There was awareness and everything. Provy didn't actively seek out and try to make a stand against it. He just felt he didn't want to take warmup. I respect him for his decision. I thought the team handled themselves well. I thought our whole organization handled itself well to make sure we didn't lose sight of that night.
The NHL doesn't have any sanctions or policy in place to fine someone for not taking part in team-mandated initiatives. The league released a statement Wednesday, effectively stating that it supports all players in their right to choose which initiatives they participate in.
Just to make it clear no I'm not benching or punishing Provy he did nothing wrong period.
- John Tortorella
Let me put it to you this way, in my experience. I think it was back in �16 when I was asked a question about the flag. That's when [former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin] Kaepernick was sitting. He wasn't kneeling. He was just sitting at that time. They asked me, if a player sits, what would you do? And what did I say, I said the player would sit the rest of the game. I was wrong. I learned a lot through that experience. My feelings toward any type of protest toward that flag, during that anthem, it disgusts me. To this day, it disgusts me. It shouldn't be done. I can't push those feelings onto someone else. So I was wrong in saying that back then. Didn't realize I was. But I went through it all, it was �who I am to push my feelings onto someone else?'
Same situation here. Provy's not banging a drum against Pride Night. He quietly went about his business. Him and I had a number of conversations to how we were going to do this. You have the team, you have him, you have all this going on. Talked to [Scott Laughton]. Went through the whole process there. [Provorov] strongly felt with his beliefs. And he stayed with it. And that was discussed, prior up to that.
But I'm trying to make a correlation to how I was wrong. You asked me if I was going to bench him? Why would I bench him? Because of a decision he's making on his beliefs and his religion? It turned out to be a great night for Pride Night. Players were involved. The building was filled.
There was awareness and everything. Provy didn't actively seek out and try to make a stand against it. He just felt he didn't want to take warmup. I respect him for his decision. I thought the team handled themselves well. I thought our whole organization handled itself well to make sure we didn't lose sight of that night.
The NHL doesn't have any sanctions or policy in place to fine someone for not taking part in team-mandated initiatives. The league released a statement Wednesday, effectively stating that it supports all players in their right to choose which initiatives they participate in.
Just to make it clear no I'm not benching or punishing Provy he did nothing wrong period.
- John Tortorella
Credit:Broad Street Bullies.com
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