Toronto Blue Jays reliever Anthony Bass is facing backlash over an Instagram post boycotting Target and Bud Light, which have been publicly supporting LGBTQ rights.
On Tuesday, Bass reposted a video to his Instagram Story that appeared to be anti-LGBTQ, and discussed “the biblical reason Christians should boycott Target” and Bud Light.
The video was initially posted by the verified Instagram account, “dudewithgoodnews,” which is run by Ryan Miller, who describes the content as “daily devotional.”
“Here’s the reason biblically why I believe Christians have gotta be boycotting Target, Bud Light, and any other corporation that’s pushing the things they’re pushing,” the video shared to Bass’ Instagram story said.
“I think a lot of people make this into a political issue, or they say ‘oh what’s the big deal?’”
Miller went on to read a biblical verse and vowed to “expose the darkness [Target is] shoving into children’s faces.”
In the caption, Miller wrote in part: “… Target has begun pushing the message of transitioning to young people.”
Bass did not provide any commentary himself, beyond promoting the video.
“Really regretting my decision to not throw popcorn at him while he was warming up in the bullpen on Saturday,” one Twitter user wrote in response to Bass’ post.
“He’s a clown!” another added.
The Blue Jays have a scheduled event to celebrate Pride Month on June 9, when they host the Twins.
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The first 15,000 fans to enter the stadium will receive a Blue Jays Rainbow Flag Jersey.
In response to Bass’ post, a team spokesperson told Toronto’s CityNews the organization is proud to celebrate Pride Month and that “individual player sentiments are not representative of the club’s beliefs.”
“The Blue Jays bring millions of fans together across Canada and are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming experience for all,” the club said in a statement.
“The Blue Jays are proud to celebrate LGBTQ2S+ Pride Month, including a special fourth annual Pride Weekend at the ballpark June 9 and 10, and demonstrations of allyship all month long around the ballpark.”
On May 24, Target corporate announced that it was pulling some of its Pride products due to “threats impacting our team members’ sense of safety and well-being while at work.”
Bud Light is engulfed in a separate controversy after its parent company Anheuser-Busch partnered with transgender influencer and TikTok star Dylan Mulvaney in a promotion for the company’s March Madness contest.
Since then, sales have fallen dramatically, with some stores marking down the company’s products to get them off their shelves.
Bass made headlines last month after he spoke out following an alleged incident with his pregnant wife on a United Airlines flight.
At the time, Bass took to Twitter claiming a United Airlines flight attendant made his 22-week pregnant wife, Sydney Rae Bass, “get on her hands and knees to pick up the popcorn mess” left by their youngest daughter, 2-year-old Blaire.
Bass added that United Airlines was handling the situation internally and that he and his wife would not be commenting further.
The 35-year-old pitcher deleted his Twitter account earlier this month, following trolling over the incident.
