SF Giants’ Roupp explains why he wrote Bible verse on Pride Night cap

SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants wore special black caps in honor of Pride Night on Friday at Oracle Park, the “SF” logo featuring every color of the Progress Pride flag. Nearly every Giant who saw the field wore the cap, but three Giants inscribed a message on their hats, while one player avoided the Pride cap entirely.

Starter Landen Roupp, who allowed four runs over 4 2/3 inningsin the Giants’ 5-1 loss, had “Genesis 9:12-16” inscribed on his cap. Along with Roupp, reliever JT Brubaker also had “Genesis 9:13-15” written on his cap as well. Reliever Ryan Walker, recalled before today’s game, also had a message on the side of his cap that was indiscernible on television cameras.

Left-handed reliever Sam Hentges opted out of the Pride cap entirely, wearing a standard Giants cap with a black base, black brim and orange font.

“It’s just about God’s covenant and a promise that he makes to us that his faithfulness and his mercy,” Roupp said. “It’s just kind of something I believe in, and I stand firm in that. Thankfully, we live in a country where we have the freedom to believe what we want and express what we want.”

Roupp could not recall previously inscribing that message on his cap during a game. Asked why it was important to write that message tonight, Roupp replied, “The rainbow is a symbol of God’s covenant to us, and us as believers stand firm in that.”

“It’s not anything — there’s no hate at all,” Roupp said. “It’s just what I stand for and what I stand (on). I believe in God.”

Roupp was then asked for his response to members of the LGBTQ+ community who might take offense at his messaging.

“First of all, as a believer, I would push them to read the Bible,” Roupp said. “God has blessed me in so many ways, and I don’t think I’d be here right now if it wasn’t for him. Like I said, there’s no hate in it at all. We live in a country where you’re welcome to believe what you want. It’s freedom of speech. That’s really all I have to say about that.”

Manager Tony Vitello replied “not really” when asked if he was involved in any pregame discussions about the writing on the caps.

“Just kind of a general knowledge of the individuals that have the freedom to do what they think is best,” Vitello said. “I do think it’s been apparent from Day 1 — actually, even some of the exhibition games — it’s pretty impressive how the Giants, as an organization, try to embrace the entire community.”

Earlier this week, Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen did not wear the team’s Pride-themed cap during Pride Night. Last season, Clayton Kershaw also wrote “Genesis 9:12-16” on his cap when the Dodgers hosted the Giants for their Pride Night. In 2024, former Giant shortstop Nick Ahmed had “Genesis 9:16” on his cap when the Giants hosted Pride Day.

The Giants have a long history of promoting the LGBTQIA+ community. In 1994, they were the first professional sports team to host an HIV/AIDS awareness game. In 2015, the team signed an amicus brief in support of same-sex marriage. In 2021, the Giants became the first team to incorporate Pride colors into their on-field uniform for their Pride game.