NC Courage Defender Jaelene Daniels Chooses Bench Over Pride Jersey

If you thought Pride Month was over, think again. The push to promote the LGBTQ agenda is relentless, yet a professional women’s league soccer player said no last week.

Jaelene Daniels, a defender for the North Carolina Courage of the National Women’s Soccer League, sat out a game Friday night to protest a team-imposed gay rights celebration.

Daniels opted for the bench over wearing a Pride-themed jersey in a game against the Washington Spirit.

Daniels did not comment specifically on why she opted out of the game, which ended in a 3-3 tie.

Yet she has been described in media reports as a devout Christian. Moreover, she has made clear in the past that she is not on board with celebrating the LGBTQ agenda.

In a statement issued before the game Friday, the Courage said, “While we’re disappointed with her choice, we respect her right to make that decision for herself.”

“We’re excited to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community with our fans, players, and staff tonight and look forward to hosting our first ever Pride Festival before kickoff,” the team added.

But Daniels has a history of rejecting such overtures.

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In 2017 she reportedly turned down an offer to join the U.S. Women’s National Team, which included the insufferable left-wing political gadfly Megan Rapinoe, because she did not want to wear a Pride jersey.

Back in 2015, according to the Daily Mail, after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized gay marriage, Daniels said on social media, “This world is falling farther and farther away from God… All that can be done by believers is to continue to pray.”

The Courage actually showed some courage in signing Daniels last year, although it later expressed regret.

When she joined the franchise in December, the team actually apologized for adding a top player who could help them win.

“We’ve spent the past few days reading your messages and reflecting on our actions. We are very sorry to all those we have hurt, especially those within the LGBTQIA+ community,” the Courage said in a statement.

“The decision to re-sign Jaelene was not made lightly and included significant conversations between organization leadership and Jaelene. The priority expressed in those conversations is the safety of our players and maintaining an inclusive, respectful space for the entire team.”

One would hope being “inclusive” and “respectful” would apply to Daniels’ religious beliefs. Because that’s not how the National Women’s Team saw it three years ago.

In July 2019, the team’s goalkeeper, Ashlyn Harris, ripped Daniels for being “homophobic” and intolerant. She tweeted at Daniels, “Our team is about inclusion. Your religion was never the problem. The problem is your intolerance and you are homophobic. You don’t belong in a sport that aims to unite and bring people together. You would never fit into our pack or what this team stands for.”

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But after she was signed in North Carolina last winter, Daniels noted on social media, “I remain committed to my faith and my desire for people to know that my love for them isn’t based on their belief system or sexuality.”

“I pray and firmly believe that my teammates know how much I cherish them, respect them, and love them.”

While professional athletes generally support left-wing causes, they are not always willing to go along.

As The Free Press reported in June, five pitchers from the Tampa Bay Rays declined to wear Pride-regalia on their uniforms, citing their religious beliefs.

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