An agency that represents several NHL players made controversial comments Monday, criticizing New York Rangers star Sean Avery over his decision to openly support gay marriage.
Avery has become one of the few athletes to endorse gay marriage by appearing in a video for the New Yorkers for Marriage Equality campaign.
In Twitter posts Monday, Todd Reynolds, the vice president of Uptown Sports -- based in Burlington, Ontario -- voiced his disapproval of Avery's stance.
"Very sad to read Sean Avery's misguided support of same-gender "marriage". Legal or not, it will always be wrong," Reynolds wrote.
The comment drew a fierce reaction from followers on the social networking site, to which Reynolds responded, "To clarify. This is not hatred or bigotry towards gays. It is not intolerance in any way shape or form. I believe we are all equal...
"But I believe in the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman. This is my personal viewpoint. I Do not hate anyone."
The 30-second video of Avery opens with him addressing the camera.
"I'm Sean Avery, and I'm a New Yorker for marriage equality. I treat everyone the way I expect to be treated, and that applies to marriage," he says.
He ends the video with the words, "Committed couples should be able to marry the person they love. Join me in supporting marriage equality."
The spot is one of a series organized by the Human Rights Campaign, a national gay-rights organization.
