Blue Jays fan booted for wearing 'Canada is not for sale' hat as team admits 'staff made a mistake'
'I felt like a criminal for supporting my country. This (incident) ruined the whole activity.'
Author of the article
an Bilicki, Rob Longley
Published Mar 28, 2025 • Last updated 16 hours ago • 4 minute read
Toronto Blue Jays fan was kicked out of Rogers Centre for wearing a 'Canada is not for sale' hat.
Toronto Blue Jays fan was kicked out of Rogers Centre for wearing a 'Canada is not for sale' hat. CTV/Screengrab
The Blue Jays’ blowout loss wasn’t the only embarrassment the team suffered at its home opener.
The organization faced major heat after a fan was ejected from Rogers Centre for wearing a “Canada is not for sale” hat.
Etobicoke resident and longtime Jays fan Dan Begley was “escorted out of the stadium by two big security guards” during Thursday afternoon’s game against the Baltimore Orioles due to his choice of headwear, according a report by CP24.
This came on the same day that the Blue Jays tried to instruct Toronto fans not to boo.
The hat in question is the same cap that Ontario Premier Doug Ford donned during a meeting and TV appearance earlier this year, not long after U.S. President Donald Trump began threatening to impose tariffs on Canadian goods.
With further tariffs being levied by the U.S. leader and ongoing rhetoric about making Canada the 51st state, Begley decided to wear the hat to the game, saying he felt that the message resonated with him.
“I like the saying and I feel like more people should stand up for Canada and be more aware,” he told CP24.
“All it says is ‘Canada is not for sale’ and it has a Canadian flag on it.”
Begley, 70, said he didn’t expect to have any issues with the cap, adding he had even complimented on it by a member of stadium staff, according to the outlet.
However, after spending roughly an hour and a half in the stadium with the hat on, he said he was approached by an usher who politely told him that it is in contravention of their “rule against political statements.”
Begley said he was told that he had to either turn it around or remove it entirely.
“I have a suspicion they didn’t want that on TV or maybe on the Jumbotron,” Begley told CP24 while adding that he refused to cooperate, feeling wronged situation.
That was when two security guards and a supervisor approached and escorted Begley out of the building.
“I was yelling on the way out,” Begley said. “I let people know that I was being kicked out because I was wearing this hat … They kept repeating that they were just following the rules,” he added of the “pretty embarrassing situation.”
“I felt like a criminal for supporting my country. This (incident) ruined the whole activity.”
The Blue Jays apologized for the incident in a response to CP24 for comment.
“We have spoken with the fan to apologize,” team spokesperson Andrea Goldstein wrote in an email to the news outlet.
“Our staff made a mistake and we have addressed the issue to ensure it does not happen again.”
Begley has now been invited back to the ballpark, with Goldstein telling CP24 that he “accepted our apology and is looking forward to returning.”
Begley later confirmed that he spoke with a representative from the Jays who apologized for the incident and offered him free tickets to another game.
As for the hat that caused all of this trouble, Begley said that the team told him it was OK to wear it to the stadium.
“It’s too bad it happened. Somebody really lost their judgment there. It just wasn’t right,” Begley told CP24.
“I said to my wife, ‘These Blue Jays games are hard on the nerves,’ but it wasn’t supposed to be this way.”
Other fans were not happy about the incident and made their thoughts known.
“Why is a senior being escorted out of the stadium by two security officials and a supervisor for standing up for Canada?” a fan told the Sun via email. “Is it because Edward Rogers has been a Mar A Lago regular or is it because the true colours of those running the Toronto Blue Jays are finally being revealed?”
Prior to the opening ceremony, the Jays took pains to try to direct fans on how to behave, airing an announcement that some in attendance viewed as offensive and presumptive.
“Opening Day is about gathering together with friends and family, cheering on your team and sharing the love we all share this game,” said the directive, which was read by the announcer just prior to the playing of the national anthems. “Throughout history, baseball has served as a place for hope during times of turmoil.
“The ballpark has been a place to get away and escape from the challenges we face in everyday life. It’s a special day for all of us — the fans, the players and coaches. We ask that you please be respectful of the day and the moment.”
Those instructions weren’t followed by all as a smattering of boos during The Star-Spangled Banner could be heard throughout the stadium.
While the derision wasn’t super loud and ugly — that came after the Jays had surrendered home runs five and six during their deflating 12-2 loss to the Orioles — it definitely could be heard.
![0329-dan-begley-blue-jays-fan-hat[1].jpg](https://forums.canadiancontent.net/data/attachments/26/26657-d86124dd0a16b8670e68e80116e3a38e.jpg "0329-dan-begley-blue-jays-fan-hat[1].jpg")
Etobicoke, Ont. resident Dan Begley was supposed to be at the Rogers Centre on Thursday afternoon watching the Jays home opener with two of his buddies.
cp24.com
The Toronto Blue Jays have apologized to a fan that was kicked out of Rogers Centre for wearing a ‘Canada is not for sale’ hat at opener.
torontosun.com
canadahealthwatch.ca
