Differences in Sports Leagues’ Recognition of Juneteenth and Pride Month
Top professional sports leagues and teams across the United States took part in recognizing the federal Juneteenth holiday. This day commemorates the emancipation of enslaved Black individuals in America. However, some leagues and teams showed a stark contrast in their engagement with Pride Month.
NFL’s Approach to Juneteenth and Pride Month
The National Football League (NFL), renowned as the most successful and popular professional sports league, highlighted Juneteenth on its social media platforms. Many individual NFL teams also acknowledged the day. Yet, the NFL chose not to mark the start of Pride Month on June 1, nor at any point after. Its wide-reaching social media accounts, with millions of followers, remained silent on the event.
Interestingly, all NFL franchises except one recognized Juneteenth. When Pride Month began, several NFL clubs opted not to celebrate. Teams such as 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 participate in Pride Month celebrations. Most of these teams had a similar stance last year.
The Detroit Lions were the only NFL team not to acknowledge Juneteenth. Known for supporting social justice causes, the Lions had marked Pride Month by adapting their logo with rainbow colors.
Responses from Other Leagues
The NHL failed to recognize Juneteenth, making it the only major sports league not to do so. This omission is surprising given the NHL’s support for Pride Month at its start. In contrast, both the NBA and MLB celebrated Juneteenth along with the NFL.
The MLB’s Texas Rangers stand out as the only team not to host an event for Pride Month. Yet, they celebrated Juneteenth.
Why Recognition of Such Events Matters
The varying degrees of recognition from these leagues and teams highlight the divided views on social justice causes. Fans increasingly pay attention to the stances their favorite teams take, positively or negatively. Sports teams that once focused solely on the game now engage actively in social causes, choosing what to celebrate and endorse or ignore.
The Significance of Juneteenth
Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when Union Army Major General Gordon Granger reached Texas and declared that enslaved people were free under the Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863.
Granger’s announcement came before Congress passed the 13th Amendment, which was finalized in January 1865 with significant support from Republican members and some Democratic support. The amendment became part of the Constitution in December 1865, ensuring the freedom of enslaved individuals.
In 2020, then-President Donald Trump campaigned for Juneteenth to become a holiday, and in 2021, President Joe Biden made it a national holiday.