2 Calgary Flames to march in Toronto pride parade - Action News
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2 Calgary Flames to march in Toronto pride parade

Calgary Flames players Mark Giordano and Sean Monahan have accepted an invitation to take part in the Toronto pride parade this weekend.

Mark Giordano, Sean Monahan agree to represent NHL team

Mark Giordano, captain of the Calgary Flames, will take part in Toronto's 2014 Pride parade. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Some bright red Calgary Flames jerseys will be found amongthe rainbow flags in Toronto's pride parade this weekend.

Flames captainMark Giordano and Sean Monahan plan to march in one of the world's largest pride festivalsthis Sunday.

They were asked to take part by Patrick Burke,who heads the You Can Play Projectwhich promotes acceptance of gay athletes.Burke is one of thesons of Brian Burke, the Calgary Flames' president of hockey operations.

In November 2009, Burkes son Brendan made headlines when he announced he was gay and talked about the challenges of playing sports while growing up andcoming to terms with his sexual identity.

At the time, he was the manager of the hockey team at Miami University in Ohio. Three months later, Brendan was killed in a car accident.

Centre Sean Monahan (centre) will also represent the Flames at the 2014 Toronto Pride parade. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)

Patrick Burke says he appreciates the involvement of Giordano and Monahan.

"Two guys who really get it and know what it's like to be good people and good leaders and this was a no brainer for them," he said.

Both Giordano and Monahan are from the Toronto area.

Patrick Burke says plans are in the works for Flames players to also participate in Calgary's Pride event at the end of August.