San Francisco Giants pitcher Landen Roupp sparked debate during Friday night’s game against the Chicago Cubs after writing a Bible verse next to the rainbow logo on his Pride Night cap.
Roupp, 27, wrote “Genesis 9:12-16” in silver pen on his black Giants hat, which featured the team’s logo in rainbow colors for Pride Month.
The passage refers to the rainbow as a sign of God’s covenant with Noah, all living creatures and the earth after the flood.
Roupp’s teammate, pitcher JT Brubaker, also wrote Bible references on his Pride cap. Another Giants pitcher, Sam Hentges, did not wear a rainbow hat when he came out of the bullpen.
After the game, Roupp explained that his gesture was about his Christian faith.
“It’s just about God’s covenant and a promise that he makes to us, that his faithfulness and his mercy,” Roupp said.
“That’s just kind of something I believe in, and I stand firm in that, and I’m thankful we live in a country where we have the freedom to believe what we want and express what we want.”
Roupp, a North Carolina native in his third MLB season, insisted the message was not meant to be hateful.
“The rainbow is a symbol of God’s covenant to us, and us as believers to stand firm in that,” he said. “There’s no hate at all. It’s just what I stand for and what I stand in. I believe in God, and that’s me.”
When asked what he would say if members of the gay community were offended by the gesture, Roupp again pointed to his faith.
“First of all, as a believer, I would push them to read the Bible,” he said.
“I think God has blessed me in so many ways, and I don’t think I would be here right now if it wasn’t for him.”
Roupp added that he believes Americans are free to believe and speak as they choose.
“There’s no hate in it at all,” he said. “We live in a country where you’re welcome to believe what you want. There’s freedom of speech and stuff like that.”
He said he was thankful God had put him in a position where he could “share his kingdom.”
Giants manager Tony Vitello gave a brief response when asked about Roupp and Hentges after the team’s loss.
“Just kind of a general knowledge of the individuals that have the freedom to do what they think is best,” Vitello said.
He also praised the organization’s broader approach to Pride Night, saying it was “pretty impressive” how the Giants have tried to embrace the entire community.
Major League Baseball marks Pride Month every June, but quiet protests and faith-based gestures have happened before.
Earlier this month, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Treinen wore a regular cap instead of the rainbow-logo cap during the team’s Pride Night game.
Last season, Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw referenced the same Bible passage as Roupp on the team’s Pride Night.
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Why does who people sleep with have to be injected into EVERYTHING! No one cares who you have sex with. What kind of idiocy has been released into every aspect of our lives WITHOUT our permission. You go to a sports event, shows, movies, and shop at stores that are advertising they are ok with who you screw!!!
Enough, leave it alone. We all have the same rights. No one is denied anything because they are not conforming to the majority who are heterosexual.
The past is in the PAST!!!
Leave the kids alone, let adults do what they want, and stop shoving it done our throats that you like to sleep with XYZ….
Lets celebrate because some people are freaks of nature!!!!