San Francisco archdiocese defends Christian players in Giants Pride Night controversy

The Archdiocese of San Francisco has defended several San Francisco Giants players who referenced a Bible passage during the team's Pride Night game, saying athletes should be free to express their religious beliefs publicly and respectfully and "should not be asked to check their faith at the clubhouse door."

In a statement shared with the New York Post, archdiocese spokesman Peter Marlow said "people of faith should not be compelled to hide or suppress their sincerely held religious convictions in public life, including in the world of professional sports."

The statement marks the first public response from the archdiocese since controversy erupted following the Giants' June 13 Pride Night game against the Chicago Cubs. 

As Zeale News reported, Giants pitchers Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker, and Ryan Walker wrote "Gen. 9:12-16" on the pro-LGBT, rainbow-themed caps worn during the team's Pride Night celebration. A fourth pitcher, Sam Hentges, wore the club's standard black-and-orange cap instead.

Major League Baseball (MLB) later issued verbal warnings to Roupp, Brubaker, and Walker for violating uniform rules prohibiting unauthorized messages on equipment. 

CatholicVote President and CEO Kelsey Reinhardt previously called for a Justice Department investigation after undercover footage showed a Washington Nationals executive saying pitcher Trevor Williams had been excluded from team promotional materials because of his Catholic faith. The executive was later fired, and the team apologized to Catholics on live television. 

CatholicVote also challenged the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023 over the club’s recognition of “the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence,” a drag group known for mocking Catholicism. Following the scandal, the Dodgers announced a Christian Faith and Family Day event. 

In response to the Giants, Reinhardt noted that her organization had successfully challenged MLB in two previous disputes and was "prepared to do it again."

>> CatholicVote defends Giants pitchers after MLB warns them over Bible references << 

Marlow said the archdiocese believes the dignity of all should be respected, suggesting the Giants’ latest action fell short of that principle. 

"We understand that some individuals may have been offended by the players' actions, and we certainly support treating every person with dignity and respect," Marlow said. "At the same time, we do not believe that a respectful reference to Sacred Scripture should be viewed as inherently hurtful or exclusionary."

He added that "in a diverse society, respect should be a two-way street."

"Just as individuals with same-sex attraction deserve to be treated with dignity and free from unjust discrimination, people of faith deserve the freedom to express their beliefs peacefully and respectfully without being presumed hostile or hateful," Marlow said.

Marlow also argued that critics have largely missed the intended religious message behind the Bible verse cited by the players.

"Much of the public discussion has focused on contemporary cultural and political debates, while the religious meaning of the biblical reference itself has received relatively little attention," he said.

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Ryan Thompson, who has spoken publicly about his Christian faith, defended the Giants players and rejected the idea that the Bible reference was intended as a statement against anyone.

"I think there's a perception that if Landen Roupp wrote a Bible verse on his hat, it means he's against something," Thompson said. "I don't think that's what it means. It means he's for something. The rainbow has a particular meaning to him because he believes the Noahic Covenant is significant to Christians."

The archdiocese also rejected the idea that expressions of faith are inappropriate in professional sports.

"Public displays of faith have long been part of American sports," Marlow said. "Athletes routinely express gratitude to God, wear religious symbols, make the sign of the cross, kneel in prayer, or speak about their faith in interviews."

"If diversity is truly valued, that diversity should include religious belief and religious expression," he added. "Athletes should not be asked to check their faith at the clubhouse door."

The Giants said June 14 they support the “LGBTQ+” community and Pride Night while respecting individual players' choices. The team also expressed regret for any pain or anger caused by the incident.

Marlow said he hopes the debate ultimately leads to greater respect for both religious freedom and human dignity.

"People of faith should be free to express their beliefs respectfully in public life,” he said, “and all people should be treated with the respect that flows from their God-given dignity.”