''UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF THE NHL'S HOCKEY IS FOR EVERYONE INITIATIVE, THE SAN JOSE SHARKS HAVE CHOSEN TO WEAR JERSEYS IN SUPPORT OF THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY TONIGHT.
FOR ALL 13 YEARS OF MY NHL CAREER, I HAVE BEEN A CHRISTIAN NOT JUST IN TITLE, BUT IN HOW I CHOOSE TO LIVE MY LIFE DAILY. I HAVE A PERSONAL FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST WHO DIED ON THE CROSS FOR MY SINS AND, IN RESPONSE, ASKS ME TO LOVE EVERYONE AND FOLLOW HIM. I HAVE NO HATE IN MY HEART FOR ANYONE, AND I HAVE ALWAYS STRIVED TO TREAT EVERYONE THAT I ENCOUNTER WITH RESPECT AND KINDNESS.
IN THIS SPECIFIC INSTANCE, I AM CHOOSING NOT TO ENDORSE SOMETHING THAT IS COUNTER TO MY PERSONAL CONVICTIONS WHICH ARE BASED ON THE BIBLE, THE HIGHEST AUTHORITY IN MY LIFE.
I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT EVERY PERSON HAS VALUE AND WORTH, AND THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY, LIKE ALL OTHERS, SHOULD BE WELCOMED IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE GAME OF HOCKEY."
JAMES REIMER
