{"id":53694,"date":"2025-06-05T09:01:59","date_gmt":"2025-06-05T09:01:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=53694"},"modified":"2025-06-05T09:01:59","modified_gmt":"2025-06-05T09:01:59","slug":"breaking-news-ceedee-lamb-says-hes-rejecting-pride-month-in-june-he-says-woke-doesnt-deserve-to-be-commemorated-reasons-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=53694","title":{"rendered":"BREAKING NEWS: CeeDee Lamb Says He’s Rejecting Pride Month in June\u2014He Says ‘WOKE’ Doesn’t Deserve to Be Commemorated, Reasons…"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a bold and controversial statement that is already sending shockwaves through the NFL and wider sports community, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has publicly declared that he will not participate in or support Pride Month celebrations this June. The star athlete criticized what he called the \u201cWOKE agenda\u201d and said he does not believe Pride \u201cdeserves to be commemorated\u201d in its current form.<\/p>\n

Lamb, speaking to reporters during voluntary team workouts on Monday, was asked if he planned to wear Pride-themed accessories or participate in the Cowboys\u2019 upcoming LGBTQ+ awareness initiatives scheduled for mid-June.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cNah, I\u2019m gonna sit that out,\u201d Lamb responded bluntly. \u201cI don\u2019t have anything against anybody personally \u2014 everyone should live how they want. But this whole Pride Month thing? It\u2019s been hijacked. It\u2019s WOKE now. It\u2019s not about love or rights anymore; it\u2019s about forcing people to comply with an agenda I don\u2019t agree with. I\u2019m not signing up for that.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

His comments mark the first high-profile NFL player this season to openly reject Pride Month on ideological grounds, and have since ignited a wave of reaction online and across media platforms.<\/p>\n

\"Is<\/p>\n

Pride and the NFL<\/h3>\n

The National Football League has, over the past several years, expanded its support of LGBTQ+ inclusion, both internally and through fan-facing campaigns. Pride gear, rainbow logos, and social media initiatives are now standard parts of the league\u2019s June programming.<\/p>\n

In a response issued late Monday, the Cowboys organization said:<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThe Dallas Cowboys proudly support inclusion, respect, and unity. While players are entitled to express personal views, our team remains committed to celebrating Pride Month and the diverse communities that support us.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The NFL League Office had no immediate comment but is expected to issue a broader statement in the coming days as the situation unfolds.<\/p>\n

Mixed Locker Room Reactions<\/h3>\n

Sources close to the team say Lamb\u2019s comments caught several teammates and staff off-guard. One unnamed veteran player reportedly said, \u201cEveryone\u2019s entitled to their views, but this is gonna stir up some stuff \u2014 not just here, but across the league.\u201d<\/p>\n

Second-year linebacker DeMarion Hall posted a cryptic message to Instagram later that evening that read, \u201cSilence is a choice. So is division. Not everyone on the team agrees.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still, some players \u2014 both current and former \u2014 came to Lamb\u2019s defense.<\/p>\n

Retired quarterback Jay Cutler tweeted, \u201cLet the man speak. Not everything needs to be politicized. Pride is a choice. So is free speech.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"CeeDee<\/p>\n

Backlash and Support<\/h3>\n

Social media erupted within minutes of Lamb\u2019s interview circulating. The hashtag\u00a0#CeeDeeControversy<\/strong>\u00a0began trending on X (formerly Twitter), with thousands weighing in.<\/p>\n

LGBTQ+ rights organizations quickly condemned Lamb\u2019s remarks. GLAAD issued the following statement:<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cCeeDee Lamb\u2019s words are harmful and dismissive of the LGBTQ+ community\u2019s long struggle for equality, especially in sports, where representation still lags. Pride Month isn\u2019t about being WOKE \u2014 it\u2019s about visibility, safety, and respect.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Others, including conservative media outlets and influencers, praised Lamb\u2019s refusal to participate.<\/p>\n

Candace Owens, host of\u00a0The Candace Owens Podcast<\/em>, posted:<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cBravo to CeeDee Lamb. Finally, an athlete standing up to the rainbow cult. Pride is no longer about rights \u2014 it\u2019s about compliance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"SFC<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

A History of Outspokenness?<\/h3>\n

While not known for engaging in political topics, Lamb has occasionally hinted at discomfort with certain social justice themes in past interviews. In a 2023 podcast appearance, he said he preferred to \u201ckeep politics out of the locker room\u201d and \u201cjust play ball.\u201d<\/p>\n

Monday\u2019s statement, however, marked the first time Lamb has taken a direct public stance on a hot-button cultural issue. The timing \u2014 at the start of Pride Month and just ahead of the Cowboys\u2019 scheduled Pride Night \u2014 has amplified the controversy.<\/p>\n

What Happens Next?<\/h3>\n

It remains unclear whether Lamb will face any formal repercussions from the Cowboys or the league. While players are not required to participate in Pride-themed activities, their public comments are scrutinized closely under the NFL\u2019s personal conduct and media policies.<\/p>\n

NFL insider Rachel Bennett told ESPN:<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThis puts the league in a tight spot. If they respond too strongly, they risk alienating players who share Lamb\u2019s views. If they say nothing, they risk undermining years of progress on inclusion. Either way, it\u2019s now a national conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy deflected questions on the topic during his afternoon press conference, saying, \u201cWe\u2019re focused on football. We\u2019ll handle anything else internally.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Culture War on the Gridiron?<\/h3>\n

Lamb\u2019s remarks highlight the growing tension between personal expression and institutional messaging in professional sports. As leagues increasingly align themselves with progressive causes, some players have begun pushing back \u2014 a dynamic that mirrors broader social debates playing out across the country.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cSports used to be a place where you left politics at the door,\u201d said analyst Marcellus Wiley on FS1. \u201cBut now, the politics are at center field. CeeDee\u2019s not alone \u2014 he\u2019s just the first one to say it out loud.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

As the Cowboys head into training camp next month, the focus may shift back to Lamb\u2019s performance on the field. But for now, the conversation is dominated by what he said off it \u2014 and what it means for the future of personal beliefs in public sports.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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