‘RINO’ Senator Under Fire For ‘Communist’ Comment About NFL Playoffs

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) is facing backlash across social media after suggesting that NFL playoff games should be moved to domed stadiums “to level the playing field” following a snow-filled weekend of postseason football.

Cornyn made the remark Sunday on X as several divisional playoff games were impacted by harsh winter conditions, including the New England Patriots hosting the Houston Texans in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The game was played amid snowfall and freezing temperatures at Gillette Stadium, a long-accepted element of late-season football in the Northeast.

“To level the playing field, shouldn’t NFL playoffs be held in domed stadiums?” Cornyn wrote in a post that quickly went viral, racking up more than 1.3 million views.

The comment immediately ignited outrage from football fans and conservative commentators, many accusing the Texas Republican of pushing a soft, centralized approach that undermines the sport’s tradition.

via X

“Wtf do you mean ‘to level the playing field’?” wrote one user. “It’s not like one team plays in the snow while the other doesn’t in an open air stadium. They’re both playing in the same weather.”

Conservative activist Robby Starbuck responded bluntly: “No, why are all your ideas so bad? Hope Ken Paxton takes your seat.”

Cold but warmer than Pittsburgh last week. We have seen snow but nothing sticking so far. Steady snow expected at 4pm #Patriots #Texans pic.twitter.com/Xk3qcOItJn

— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) January 18, 2026

Others framed Cornyn’s comment as emblematic of what they see as a growing disconnect between Washington Republicans and the conservative base.

“If I wanted socialism I’d move to the Europoor Union,” wrote Three Year Letterman, while another simply called the idea “Literally communism.”

Political strategist Siraj Hashmi mocked the senator by asking, “@grok can a sitting U.S. Senator be deported?”

Legal analyst David French weighed in as well, writing, “Senator, a terrible take. Football in the snow is glorious.”

The criticism crossed ideological lines, with even left-wing activists joining in. Progressive commentator Olivia Julianna sarcastically declared, “JOHN CORNYN WANTS WOKE DEI FOOTBALL!”

Others questioned Cornyn’s Texas roots. “Are you sure you’re from Texas?” asked activist Charlotte Clymer, while conservative personality Nick Adams responded simply: “No. That would be soft.”

The NFL has long embraced weather as a defining factor of postseason play, with snow, wind, and cold often serving as equalizers that reward physical teams built for late-season conditions. Iconic playoff moments have unfolded in blizzards and sub-zero temperatures, particularly in cities like Green Bay, Buffalo, and Foxborough.

On Sunday the Patriots advanced to their first AFC title game in years, forcing four interceptions off C.J. Stroud (one returned for a touchdown) in a chilly Foxborough showdown.