BREAKING: Cincinnati Bengals Spiritual Leader Mike Brown Announces Boycott of NFL Pride Night: “On the Field, People Should Be Focusing on Football, Not WOKE”
CINCINNATI, OH — In a statement that has already ignited fierce national debate, Cincinnati Bengals owner and long-time team figurehead Mike Brown announced he will boycott the NFL’s upcoming Pride Night, citing his belief that the football field is “not the place for political or cultural statements.”
“I have great respect for all people,” Brown said in a written statement Monday morning, “but when we step onto that field, it should be about football — not symbols, not slogans, not political agendas. People come to games to escape division, not be reminded of it.”
Brown, 89, who has owned the Bengals since taking over from his father, legendary coach Paul Brown, has long held what many describe as a traditionalist view of the game, rarely speaking out publicly on league-wide social issues. But with the NFL promoting its annual Pride Night initiative — a league-wide effort to support LGBTQ+ inclusion — Brown made it clear he will not attend or support the Bengals’ home game on that evening.
NFL Pride Night: A Growing Tradition
The NFL’s Pride initiative, which began in 2021, includes rainbow-themed apparel, sideline signage, and team-sponsored events aimed at promoting inclusivity and celebrating LGBTQ+ fans and athletes. While many teams and players have embraced the message, others — particularly more conservative figures within the sport — have expressed discomfort with what they perceive as the league venturing too far into activism.
Brown’s comments fall into that growing divide.
“It’s not about hate. It’s about focus,” Brown continued. “Our players work their whole lives to get here. Let’s give them the stage for their performance, not for a social cause, no matter what it is.”
Reactions: Praise and Outrage
As expected, reactions have been intense and divided.
Within hours, #MikeBrown and #NFLPrideNight began trending on X (formerly Twitter), with fans and players weighing in on both sides of the debate.
“Mike Brown is right. Football should be about football,” tweeted one Bengals season ticket holder. “Let’s leave politics at the door.”
![]()
Others were far less supportive.
“This isn’t about politics — it’s about visibility,” wrote LGBTQ+ advocate and former NFL lineman Ryan O’Callaghan. “To some fans, seeing Pride flags feels like hope. Brown may not get that, but millions do.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released a brief statement Monday afternoon re-affirming the league’s commitment to “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” but did not mention Brown by name.
Players React Quietly — For Now
While no Bengals player has publicly criticized Brown as of Monday evening, sources inside the locker room say some players were “shocked” and “disappointed” by his comments, particularly younger stars who have publicly supported LGBTQ+ fans.
One anonymous player told local reporters, “You can support the team and still support people being who they are. It shouldn’t be either-or.”
Veteran wide receiver Tyler Boyd was more diplomatic when asked about Brown’s boycott during a press scrum:
“Everyone’s entitled to their beliefs. As players, we’re here to compete, to represent the city, and to uplift everyone who supports us. That includes all fans.”
A Generational Divide?
Analysts say Brown’s stance may highlight a deeper generational rift between long-standing NFL owners and a rapidly evolving league culture. As younger fans and players continue to push for social awareness and representation, older figures like Brown are more often finding themselves in the crosshairs of controversy.
“Mike Brown is a product of a different era,” said sports columnist Angela Park. “That doesn’t excuse the impact of his words, but it helps explain them. The real question now is how the Bengals organization, and the league, respond to a public challenge like this.”
What’s Next?
Though Mike Brown does not intend to be present at Pride Night, the Bengals organization released a statement Monday evening confirming that the team will fully participate in the NFL’s Pride programming, including the use of sideline banners, themed gear, and community outreach.
“We believe football is for everyone,” the statement read. “We support our LGBTQ+ fans, staff, and players, and we are proud to celebrate inclusion as part of our team values.”
Still, Brown’s stance has reopened a broader national conversation about whether sports should serve as a stage for cultural movements — or as a sanctuary from them.
For now, the Bengals prepare for their next opponent under a growing spotlight — not just for their play, but for the message they send when they take the field.