ADVOCATES FOR FAITH & FREEDOM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2026
CONTACT: NICOLE VELASCO AT
MEDIA@FAITH-FREEDOM.COM
Murrieta, CA – June 16, 2026 – Advocates for Faith & Freedom, a nonprofit legal organization dedicated to protecting religious liberty and constitutional freedoms, today demanded that Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred immediately retract the league’s warning and any disciplinary action against San Francisco Giants pitchers who wrote Bible verses on their caps during the team’s Pride Night event.
On June 12, 2026, during the Giants’ Pride Night game, pitchers Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker, and Ryan Walker respectfully expressed their Christian faith by inscribing references to Genesis 9:12-16 — a passage celebrating God’s covenant and the rainbow as its symbol — on their team-issued Pride Night caps. MLB responded by issuing a formal warning to the players, claiming the writing violated uniform rules.
“This is a blatant violation of the players’ rights to free speech and the free exercise of religion,” said Erin Mersino, Vice President at Advocates for Faith & Freedom. “MLB should never punish players for peacefully sharing a positive Biblical message, especially one referencing the very symbol the league featured on its Pride caps. The selective enforcement here sends a clear message: Christian faith is not welcome in Major League Baseball.” That message must be rectified.
The players’ actions were personal expressions of faith with no intent to harass or discriminate. Genesis 9:12-16 recounts God’s promise to Noah, using the rainbow as a sign of mercy and covenant — a message of hope entirely consistent with themes of inclusion and redemption. MLB’s policy, as applied, appears to target religious viewpoints while permitting other forms of expression on uniforms.
Therefore, in a letter co-written by Robert Tyler, founder and President of Advocates for Faith & Freedom, and Shea Hausenauer, Senior Litigation Counsel, Advocates for Faith & Freedom is calling on Commissioner Manfred to:
- Retract any warning, discipline, or adverse action taken against the players involved;
- Issue a public apology acknowledging that peaceful religious expression should not have been treated as punishable conduct;
- Clarify in writing that league rules will be applied in a viewpoint-neutral manner that respects religious expression and conscience rights;
- Eliminate uniform changes on Pride nights or officially print Bible verses on players’ uniforms on these nights; and
- Officially put the Cross and Bible verses on everyone’s uniforms during Christian Faith nights at stadiums.
A copy of the letter is available here.
“Professional athletes do not forfeit their rights and beliefs when they step onto the field,” added Mersino. “If MLB truly values diversity and inclusion, it must include religious diversity and protect players’ rights to express their faith without fear of retaliation.”
Advocates for Faith & Freedom will continue monitoring this situation to defend religious liberty in sports and public life.
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