9 NFL Teams Refuse To Acknowledge Pride Month

The NFL stayed focused on football as Pride Month kicked off this week, a noticeable shift from previous years when the league prominently celebrated LGBTQ causes across its social media platforms.

June 1 came and went without a single Pride Month post from the NFL’s main X account, which has more than 36 million followers, or its Instagram account, which reaches another 32 million users.

Instead, the league’s social channels spent Monday highlighting football news.

Posts focused on the blockbuster trade sending Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams, A.J. Brown’s move to the New England Patriots, Odell Beckham Jr.’s return to the New York Giants, and tributes following the death of former NFL star Raymond Berry.

The silence stood in contrast to previous years, when the NFL used its social media accounts to promote messages declaring that “football is gay,” that “football is lesbian,” and that football is welcoming to LGBTQ communities.

Whether the absence of Pride Month messaging was intentional remains unclear.

For many conservatives, Christians, and others who have criticized corporate involvement in social causes, the lack of a Pride Month post was viewed as a positive development. LGBTQ activists, meanwhile, were left wondering whether league officials simply overlooked the occasion and would correct the omission in the coming days.

Whatever the explanation, the NFL’s decision highlights a broader reality facing major organizations in 2026. Companies, universities, sports leagues, and public figures increasingly face scrutiny over whether they choose to celebrate Pride Month, remain neutral, or stay silent altogether.

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There is little middle ground. A public show of support draws criticism from opponents, while opting out sparks backlash from supporters.

Other major professional sports leagues had no hesitation marking the start of Pride Month.

Major League Baseball, the NBA, and the NHL all acknowledged the occasion Monday. The NHL even changed its logo colors to a rainbow-themed version for the month.

The NFL stood apart from its peers, at least for one day.

That does not mean the league has abandoned support for LGBTQ causes. The NFL continues to promote related initiatives throughout the year through its website, fundraising efforts, and community programs. Even so, the absence of Pride Month messaging from its flagship social accounts was difficult to ignore.

At the team level, nine franchises also skipped Pride Month recognition on Monday.

The New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, and New Orleans Saints did not post Pride-related messages. Most of those teams took a similar approach last year.

That could still change. Teams frequently roll out Pride Month messaging throughout June rather than on the first day.

The Indianapolis Colts, for example, have varied their approach in recent years but became the first NFL team to post a Pride Month message in 2026.

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The debate surrounding Pride Month continues to expose deep cultural divisions.

Supporters argue that LGBTQ individuals deserve public recognition and celebration, while critics increasingly push back against dedicating an entire month to sexuality-based activism.

A glance through social media comment sections reveals strong opinions from both sides.

The controversy also creates unusual situations for organizations attempting to celebrate multiple communities and causes.

The Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings all recognized Pride Month on Monday.

Earlier this year, however, those same organizations also celebrated Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of Ramadan.

The Vikings posted about Eid on X, while the Texans and Eagles highlighted the holiday on Facebook.

Islam, like Christianity and Judaism, traditionally teaches that homosexual behavior is sinful, creating an apparent tension between some religious doctrines and Pride Month celebrations.

The contradiction extends beyond sports.

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani marked the beginning of Pride Month with a lengthy social media post arguing that one month is not enough to “honor the contributions of queer and transgender New Yorkers.”

Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and has publicly embraced his Muslim faith, has frequently spoken positively about his birthplace and religious identity.

Uganda enacted its Anti-Homosexuality Act in 2023, a law that includes severe penalties for same-sex relationships. Traditional interpretations of Sharia law also prohibit homosexual conduct.

Those realities have fueled criticism from opponents who argue that some public figures and organizations selectively embrace cultural values depending on the political moment.

As Pride Month gets underway, the NFL’s decision to stay silent has become a story of its own. Whether that silence lasts remains to be seen.

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