When it comes to mixing faith and public gestures, sports figures often walk a tricky line.
That’s exactly what happened over the weekend when Clayton Kershaw, one of Major League Baseball’s most respected pitchers, made a quiet but bold move that quickly went viral.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were hosting their Pride Night celebration at Dodger Stadium, but Kershaw, though not even playing that day, added a personal message to his cap—and it’s stirred up a storm.
A Small Change That Spoke Volumes
As part of the team’s LGBTQ+ outreach, Dodgers players were given special Pride-themed caps.
These featured the Dodgers’ signature logo blended with the colors of the rainbow flag—a nod to inclusion and diversity.
But Kershaw, a 37-year-old veteran known just as much for his strong Christian faith as his fastball, added something different to his cap: he handwrote “Gen 9:12–16” next to the logo.
That’s a reference to a Bible passage from Genesis that speaks about the rainbow, but in a very different context.
The Meaning Behind the Bible Verse
The passage Clayton referred to comes from the story of Noah’s Ark.
In it, God makes a promise after the great flood, saying:
“This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.”
In other words, according to Kershaw’s belief, the rainbow is a symbol of God’s promise—not a symbol of Pride Month.
And that’s the point he appeared to be making by inscribing the reference on his hat.
Social Media Reaction Was Swift and Divided
The internet wasted no time picking sides. On one hand, many praised Kershaw for expressing his faith in a public but respectful way.
Supporters called the move “classy,” “truthful,” and “a courageous stand.”
One fan even wrote, “The rainbow he supports has nothing to do with pride month.”
But not everyone felt the same way. Critics accused him of undermining the purpose of the evening and questioned why he couldn’t accept that the rainbow could have multiple meanings.
One social media user summed it up by saying, “What a disappointment,” while another simply remarked, “He should stick to sports.”
A History of Tension Between Kershaw and Dodgers Pride Events
This isn’t the first time Kershaw has been at odds with the Dodgers’ Pride initiatives.
Back in 2023, the team invited the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, an LGBTQ+ charity group known for their drag performances and satirical religious attire, to their Pride Night.
Kershaw openly disagreed with the move, feeling the group mocked Christianity.
In response, he and the team pushed forward the announcement of the Dodgers’ annual Christian Faith and Family Day.
“We were always going to do Christian Faith Day this year,” Kershaw said at the time, “but I think the timing of our announcement was sped up” due to the Sisters’ inclusion.
“Yes, it was in response to the highlighting of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.”
Where This Leaves the Conversation
Kershaw’s gesture—simple as it was—has reignited a complex conversation about how symbols like the rainbow are interpreted and shared across different communities.
Can one symbol carry multiple meanings? Should athletes speak their faith during themed events? Or is there a place for everyone’s perspective at the table?
For now, Kershaw’s inscription continues to spark both admiration and outrage—proving that even in the quietest moments, actions can speak very loudly.
