The annual kickoff for Pride Month on June 1 wrapped up on Monday, yet the NFL’s X and Instagram accounts, boasting millions of followers, didn’t mention it at all. It’s worth pausing to consider that.
In recent years, the NFL has emphasized inclusivity—messages like “football is gay” have made their rounds. But this year, their posts were solely focused on football trades and player contracts. They talked about Myles Garrett moving to the Los Angeles Rams and AJ Brown’s trade to the New England Patriots, for instance. Then, they announced the passing of Raymond Berry.
This might mean something profound, or it might mean nothing at all.
Former NFL star Dez Bryant’s take on Pride Month seems to reflect a divide. For many conservatives, Christians, and others, they see a tiny victory here and hope it leads to broader recognition throughout the league and its teams—most of which did acknowledge Pride Month on the first day. Out of 32 teams, nine chose not to recognize it at all on Monday.
For some LGBTQ activists, the NFL’s muted response on social media raises hopes that someone will correct this oversight quickly. If the league doesn’t acknowledge Pride Month soon, it would signal a significant setback for those advocating for visibility and support from one of the most prominent sports leagues in America.
This highlights where we will find ourselves by 2026, for better or worse. Societal perceptions are shifting—corporations, universities, and yes, sports teams are all under scrutiny regarding these divisive issues.
The label “divisive” is fitting, as scrutiny often means that any choice made—whether to recognize or refrain from acknowledging these events—triggers upsetting messages to someone.
On the same day, other major leagues like MLB, the NBA, and even the NHL marked the beginning of Pride Month. For instance, the NHL altered its logo to incorporate rainbow colors. This raises conversations about corporate branding and authenticity.
Unlike past celebrations, there were no nods towards Pride Month from the NFL this time around. Previously, they would at least acknowledge LGBTQ months with celebratory posts.
It’s not that the NFL has removed support for gay issues entirely. They still engage in initiatives and promotions throughout the year. Yet, notably, this omission felt intentional, or at least significant.
As for which teams didn’t acknowledge Pride Month, they are largely the same ones that have opted out in years past: the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, and New Orleans Saints. Most of these teams followed suit last year, too.
It’s essential to remember this is just a moment in time. The NFL could soon decide to honor Pride Month at any moment, and teams that remained silent might change their stance shortly.
Take, for example, the Indianapolis Colts, who have fluctuated in their approach to Pride Month in recent years. Interestingly, they were the first team to post about it this year.
This matters because, as society becomes increasingly polarized, one side pushes for the celebration of sexuality, while the other side often pushes back, questioning the appropriateness of a dedicated month for such celebrations.
And when you look at engagement on social media, it’s a complex landscape—both sides of the conversation exist side by side.
Pride Month introduces an interesting dynamic among teams, as some have embraced celebrations while others have voiced their opposition. For instance, teams like the Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans, and Minnesota Vikings celebrated Pride Month, but the same teams also marked the end of Ramadan earlier in March.
Yet, this brings out contradictions, as Islam—like other religions—has clear prohibitions against homosexuality.
Then there’s New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani, who made headlines with a post indicating that it takes more than a month to honor the contributions of LGBTQ New Yorkers. His background adds another layer since he hails from Uganda, where there are harsh laws against homosexuality.
In some ways, this all feels rather complicated, doesn’t it? Here we are, celebrating the kick-off of Pride Month, while navigating a landscape of conflicting beliefs and societal expectations.
