Several Tampa Bay Rays players decline to wear LGBTQ logos on uniforms for Pride Night, reports say

By Jacob Lev, CNN

Updated 0905 GMT (1705 HKT) June 6, 2022

Tampa Bay Rays designed a special logo for Pride Night.

(CNN)Several players on the Tampa Bay Rays did not wear LGBTQ logos on their uniforms for the team's Pride Night celebration during Saturday's game against the Chicago White Sox.

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.Adam addressed the situation on behalf of the players who opted out, telling the Tampa Bay Times that it was a «faith-based decision» and that it wasn't «judgmental.»Jake Daniels: Why Blackpool player's decision to come out as gay matters«So it's a hard decision,» Adam said. «Because, ultimately, we all said what we want is them to know that all are welcome and loved here. »But when we put it on our bodies, I think a lot of guys decided that it's just a lifestyle that maybe — not that they look down on anybody or think differently — it's just that maybe we don't want to encourage it if we believe in Jesus, who's encouraged us to live a lifestyle that would abstain from that behavior.Read More«It's not judgmental. It's not looking down. It's just what we believe the lifestyle he's encouraged us to live, for our good, not to withhold. But again, we love these men and women, we care about them, and we want them to feel safe and welcome here.»'Love everyone as they are'Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier, who wore the specially designed uniform for Pride Night, told the Times that his parents taught him to «love everyone as they are, go live your life, whatever your preferences are, go be you.» «I can't