Courage has confirmed that North Carolina Courage defender Jaylene Daniels will miss her team’s National Football League (NWSL) game against the Washington Spirit on Friday after refusing to wear the Pride jersey.
Daniels previously Refused to call up the United States women’s national team 2017 on the rainbow themed gay pride t-shirts.
Held as part of Courage’s Pride Night celebrations, Friday’s game also features Pregame Pride in partnership with Harmony: NC LGBT + Allied Chamber of Commerce and the Raleigh LGBT Center.
A spokeswoman for Courage said: “Gilen will not be on the list tonight because she has made the decision not to wear our Pride shirt.” Statement to the media before the match.
“While we are disappointed with her choice, we respect her right to make that decision herself. We are excited to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community with our fans, players and staff tonight and look forward to hosting our first-ever Pride Festival before kick-off.”
The Courage faced criticism from its supporters last December when it re-signed Daniels, who retired last year after playing seven seasons in the National Football League.
“In response to the recent news of the re-contracting of Jaylene Daniels, we as a club acknowledge the impact this announcement has had on our community,” North Carolina Courage said in an unsigned open letter to fans at the time. “We have spent the past few days reading your messages and reflecting on our actions. We are deeply sorry for all those we have hurt, especially those from the LGBTQIA+ community.
“The decision to re-sign Jaelene was not taken lightly and involved important conversations between the organization’s leadership and Jaelene. The priority expressed in those conversations is the safety of our players and maintaining an inclusive and respectful space for the entire team.”
Daniels, who has yet to comment on her absence from Friday’s game, also released her own message in December, writing that her love for her Courage teammates was “never based on who they are.”
“I remain committed to my belief and my desire for people to know that my love for them is not based on their belief system or their sexuality. I pray and firmly believe that my teammates know how much I cherish, respect and love them.”
“Student. Incurable problem solver. Amateur baconaholic. Introvert. Infuriatingly humble music fanatic.”