Rays’ Nick Anderson explains 'differing beliefs' after several teammates forgo ‘Pride Night’ logo

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Five members of the Tampa Bay Rays chose not to wear rainbow-colored patches on their uniforms during the team’s Pride Night over the weekend, causing many to publicly criticize their choice. 

The five players cited religious beliefs as to why they chose to remove the logos, and Tampa Rays manager Kevin Cash said that the organization supported each player's right to wear or not wear the logos.

Nick Anderson #70 of the Tampa Bay Rays throws against the Tampa Bay Rays in the ninth inning of a baseball game at Tropicana Field on September 26, 2021, in St. Petersburg, Florida.  (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

On Monday, Tampa Bay reliever Nick Anderson posted a message of support for his teammates on social media, saying that everyone is able to have "different beliefs." 

"It’s astonishing to me how people don’t understand that different beliefs exist," Anderson posted to Twitter. "And because you have different beliefs, in no way, shape, or form does that mean you look down on that individual or think they are lesser. You can love everyone and have differing beliefs."

SEVERAL RAYS PLAYERS BREAK FROM ORGANIZATION’S PRIDE NIGHT LOGOS, CITING RELIGIOUS REASONS

Anderson then followed up with a lengthier statement explaining his post. 

A detail of the Tampa Bay Rays pride burst logo celebrating Pride Month during a game against the Chicago White Sox at Tropicana Field on June 04, 2022, in St Petersburg, Florida.  (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

"When I say differing beliefs, I’m talking about the people who believe everyone would wear something and if you don’t, you should burn and are a terrible person or whatever name you want to