NFL star slams football league’s Pride support

Former NFL star Dez Bryant has criticised the league’s support of Pride month.

The former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver took to Instagram to air his grievances at the NFL’s Pride month campaign, which featured bold white writing against a black background and featured the words: “Football is gay… football is lesbian, beautiful, queer, life, exciting, transgender… bisexual.” 

The campaign proclaimed that the NFL was proud to support queer youth suicide-prevention charity The Trevor Project, and pointed out that: “LGBTQ+ youth with at least one accepting adult have 40 per cent lower risk of attempting suicide.” 

‘Wild statements to make’

Often outspoken, Byrant, who also played for the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens, reposted the campaign and wrote: “These are wild statements to make… I’m going to proudly tell my boys football is none of these things.

“I have nothing against gays but this is far from right.” 

Football is gay
Football is queer
Football is transgender.. these are wild statements to make..excuse my silliness.

I’m going to proudly tell my boys football is none of these things.

I have nothing against Gays but this is far from right https://t.co/0MqgzyjqtP

— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) June 2, 2025

In a separate post, according to Sports Illustrated, he added: “[There are] gay players in the NFL but forcing it in people’s faces, especially children, can send the wrong message. Football is a real community, like the gay community. Imagine telling gays they have to advocate for straight people. They probably would have a problem.”

Comments under his original post include: “At least Dez has the nerve to speak up,” and “Football is literally not for everyone.” 

However, other people have pointed out that Bryant, who – while not officially retired – has not played in the NFL since 2020, misunderstood the campaign.

“’Football is for everyone’ is quite literally the point that you… missed. Do better,” one person said.

There have been 16 out gay and bisexual football players in the NFL’s history. Last month, defensive end Carl Nassib, who played for the Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Las Vegas Raiders, revealed why he felt he had to come out as gay publicly.

Nassib came out on Instagram in 2021 – the first active NFL star to do so – saying his decision was spurred by “catalysts” such as his uncle Bill, who was also gay. 

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