The social media channels of leading U.S. professional sports leagues and their teams acknowledged Friday’s federal holiday, Juneteenth, which marks the freedom of enslaved Black individuals in the United States. This contrasts notably with how these leagues have approached the kickoff of Pride Month.
The NFL, which is arguably the most popular and successful league in the country, recognized Juneteenth on its social media, sharing some of its teams’ posts in celebration. Interestingly, this acknowledgment came after the league had been quiet about the start of Pride Month on June 1, not mentioning it across its substantial social media platforms—36 million followers on X and 32 million on Instagram.
Almost all of the NFL’s 32 teams observed Juneteenth, with the exception of the Detroit Lions. In contrast, many teams opted not to celebrate Pride Month, including significant franchises like the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, and others. It’s worth noting that a lot of these clubs remained silent on Pride Month last year too.
As for the Lions, it’s curious. They are typically aligned with social justice initiatives, having actually changed their logo during Pride Month to reflect support for the LGBTQ community. Yet their absence on a day meaningful to many Black Americans seems off.
The NHL, unlike the NBA and MLB, did not mark Juneteenth on social media, which adds to the peculiar pattern. However, it had shown some support during the beginning of Pride Month.
Meanwhile, the Texas Rangers, the only MLB team that doesn’t host Pride Month events, still celebrated Juneteenth, which raises questions about these differing approaches.
This all ties back to the evolving landscape of sports and social justice, where fans are increasingly aware of their teams’ stances. These organizations used to keep a distance from social issues; not anymore. They now engage passionately, endorsing various causes, and sometimes, they simply remain silent.
Juneteenth itself is an important historical date, commemorating the moment in 1865 when Union Army Major General Gordon Granger announced the freedom of slaves in Texas under the Emancipation Proclamation, signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. Interestingly, Lincoln’s Proclamation didn’t free all enslaved people at that time; the 13th Amendment, passed by Congress in early 1865, did that. It saw a notable division in votes along party lines, with most Republicans supporting it.
In more recent history, Juneteenth was declared a national holiday in 2021, following advocacy from then-President Donald Trump during his campaign in 2020, although he was not successful in re-election.
Perhaps it’s time for both the NHL and the Detroit Lions to recognize Juneteenth more officially.
