BREAKING: Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell Declines to Recognize Pride Month, Criticizes “Woke Culture”
June 3, 2025 — Minneapolis, MN
In a stunning and polarizing move that has sent shockwaves through the NFL community, Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has announced he will not take part in any Pride Month celebrations this June. Speaking candidly during a routine press conference on Tuesday, O’Connell delivered remarks that many are calling a direct challenge to the league’s ongoing inclusion efforts.
“I’ve always stood by what I believe in,” O’Connell said. “But I won’t be pressured into celebrating something just because it’s trendy or ‘woke.’ I don’t think that deserves celebration — I think it deserves discussion, honesty, and boundaries.”
While O’Connell did not offer specific examples to back his statement, he emphasized that “football should be about football — not politics, not identity campaigns.”
The comment immediately set off a media firestorm. Within hours, hashtags like #DropTheVikings, #PrideNotWoke, and #KevinOConnell began trending on social media. LGBTQ+ advocacy groups condemned the remarks, calling them “dismissive and harmful,” while some conservative voices praised O’Connell for “standing up to corporate activism.”
In response, the Minnesota Vikings organization issued a statement late Tuesday evening:
“Coach O’Connell’s views are his own. The Minnesota Vikings remain committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all fans, players, and staff, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. Our Pride Month events will proceed as planned.”
League Commissioner Roger Goodell has not yet commented, but insiders say the NFL is “monitoring the situation closely.”
The controversy comes at a sensitive time for the league, which has been working to repair its image with marginalized communities following past missteps. O’Connell’s comments risk deepening the divide between those who view sports as a sanctuary from politics and those who believe representation and inclusion are non-negotiable.
Star players on the Vikings roster have remained silent thus far, though sources suggest locker room conversations have already begun to stir.
As June unfolds, the eyes of both sports fans and cultural commentators remain fixed on Minneapolis — where Pride, politics, and professional football have collided in a most unexpected way.
