An Islanders fan customized a New York jersey to rip John Tavares

BarDown Staff

Getty Images

It's going to be hard for Islanders fans to ever forgive John Tavares for choosing to leave Long Island to go play for his hometown team.

You can't blame Islanders fans for feeling betrayed by Tavares and resorting to burning his jersey or making a custom jersey like this fan did to express how they feel about him leaving.

Hi [👋] 🏼 @91Tavares pic.twitter.com/FzbfDbFr2W
— Josh Elkin (@JoshElkin) July 30, 2018

It's incredibly harsh to call Tavares a traitor for deciding to live out his childhood dream and play for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Just like it's a business when a star player who has showed loyalty is traded, it's the same when a star player decides to take his talents somewhere else.

Fans are emotional, though, and they'll let Tavares know how they feel every time he comes back to Long Island as a member of the Leafs.

i think because you haven't been an #ISLES fan for the past 9 years, especially the last 2 yrs, you just simply don't get it and never will. you simply will never get that we understand his contract was up and he had every right to leave but it is 100% how he did.
— Jae (@islesstrike1st) July 31, 2018

Here's why. Years of "I want to stay" and "I want it to work out" to running for his TML PJs asap. THAT is why he's a traitor, not for leaving.
— Jeremy Jacobs (@FluffyCow24) July 30, 2018

(H/T: Josh Elkin)