Picture goes viral, comes back to haunt Eric Staal who keeps lying about it!

Florida Panthers forward Eric Staal and defenseman Marc Staal did not take part in the team’s warmup on Thursday, refusing to wear the team’s Pride Night jerseys against the Toronto Maple Leafs, citing their religious beliefs.

The Staals released a statement on their decision through the Panthers PR:

However, fans were quick to use social media moments after the news was released to show that Eric Staal has worn the Pride Jersey in the past.

Pictures and footage emerged on Twitter of Eric Staal when he was a member of the Montreal Canadiens in 2021. He wore the jersey on that special night and fans wanted somebody to remind Eric Staal he’s already worn a pride jersey before:

After the game, when asked about the viral picture of him wearing the Pride jersey, Staal lied and lied about it, despite photographic evidence, per Erin Brown. 

“I haven’t before. I never have. … I haven’t worn a pride jersey before.”

Staal sure seems to focus that his religion condemns lying... 

The Staal’s join San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer, who refused to participate in wearing a Pride Night warmup jersey last week and Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov who did the same in January. There were also the New York Rangers, Islanders, Minnesota Wild and just recently the Chicago Blackhawks that decided not have players wear Pride jerseys during warm-ups on Pride Nights.

This is an important cause and players asking this way proves that more needs to be done to make hockey more inclusive.
The Panthers will auction the Pride Night jerseys off in support of the You Can Play Team and the Florida Panthers Foundation will match dollar-for-dollar all funds raised and will donate that match back to LGBTQ+ nonprofits in the South Florida community.

Maybe they should add Eric Staal’s picture to the auction lot…

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