Although the players will not be rocking the jerseys on the ice, thanks to a National Hockey League (NHL) ban after some players refused to participate in Pride Night festivities, the Panthers Foundation will auction off the exclusive jerseys to benefit South Florida LGBTQ+ organizations.
The yellow jersey designed by local artist Lori Pratico is a departure from the team's red, navy, white, and gold colors. It features the old Panthers logo at the center with "Pride" in its claws. The three-dimensional jersey numbers incorporate the rainbow pride flag and the shoulder patches are the current team logo with a rainbow overlay.
"Those are dope," an Instagram user commented. "All the themed sweaters you guys make are so good 😻😻😻."
Another added, "The logo is STUNNING."
While many fans loved the special-edition jersey, there were plenty of haters spouting anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. It is not surprising — just take a look at what Instagram users commented on the Miami Heat's Instagram posts about its Pride Night celebration and condemnation of the baseless cat and dog-eating allegations against the Haitian community.
"Are we roleplaying as the predators 😂😂?" a comment reads.
"I am never wearing that shit," a user quipped.
One person said, "I'd cross-check myself if I had to wear that."
"Abomination against God, repent," a user wrote.
Some fans denounced the hateful comments.
"Some real soft Panthers 'fans,'" a fan wrote. "If you don't like it, don't buy it. Keep your hate to yourself."
Another chimed in, "Kinda sad these are 'fellow' Panther fans. The hate in this comment section is embarrassing. Broward is one of 💙 in the state. Nobody is forcing you to buy a thing. It's a freaking rainbow! Get over it.
Someone had to say it.
"I'm just here for the inevitable commentary by the barely high school-educated dudes whose drink of choice is a 12-pack of Natty Light and yet still somehow feel a sense of superiority," another user said.
