Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw drew significant attention recently for wearing a hat inscribed with a Bible passage during the organization’s annual Pride Night celebration on Friday, June 13. While sporting a Dodgers cap featuring a rainbow-colored team logo, Kershaw’s headwear also displayed “Gen 9:12-16” on its front, a reference to the biblical book of Genesis.
The passage, Genesis 9:12-16, describes God’s covenant with Noah after the flood, in which the rainbow is established as a sign of God’s promise to never again destroy the earth with a flood.
The recent action by the 37-year-old left-hander follows his notable stance during the Dodgers’ 2023 Pride Night. At that time, Kershaw publicly voiced his objection to the team’s decision to honor the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a drag performance group. He clarified his opposition was specifically due to what he perceived as the group’s mockery of Christianity. “I don’t agree with making fun of other people’s religions,” Kershaw stated in 2023, emphasizing, “This has nothing to do with the LGBTQ community or Pride or anything like that.” In the wake of that controversy, the Dodgers announced the return of Christian Faith and Family Day, an event not held since 2019.
Kershaw’s choice to display the Bible reference on his hat this year has generated considerable discussion across social media. Fan reactions have been diverse: some expressed disappointment, urging the pitcher to “stick with sports,” while others praised him as a “class act” for his “subtle protest” and for “sharing biblical truths.” A segment of religious followers suggested he could have gone further by not wearing the Pride-themed cap at all.
Friday’s game marked the Dodgers’ 12th annual Pride Night event. The organization did not immediately issue a comment regarding Kershaw’s hat.
