‘End Racism’: NFL To Keep Virtue Signaling With End Zone Messages

Despite most companies moving away from virtue signaling, the NFL has decided to keep a frequently maligned feature this season. For the sixth straight season, all 32 teams will have messages painted in the end zones with social justice themes and undertones.

The NFL will again be advertising messages such as “End Racism,” “Stop Hate,” “Choose Love,” or “Inspire Change,” per Associated Press. Just like in years prior, the opposing end zone will bear the message, “It Takes All of Us.” The outlet noted that “Inspire Change” is the only update from last year, when the message said, “Vote.”

Players will also have the option to display these messages on their helmets.

“We’re working hand-in-hand with players, and alongside our clubs, to amplify player voices and underscore what is most important to them,” Anna Isaacson, NFL senior VP of social responsibility, told the AP. “For decades, the NFL and its players have been a unifying force in American culture and society that brings people of all cultures and backgrounds together to enjoy America’s most popular sport.”

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“This is an honor and responsibility that the league takes seriously, which is why we actively invest in off-field programs and on-field initiatives that promote unity,” she added.

Reactions on social media were mostly negative, with followers questioning why the NFL was keeping up this campaign when so many other companies and organizations are moving in the opposite direction.

“Can’t we just escape politics and wokeism for a measly 3 hours and watch football? I’m out. I’m totally done with the NFL,” one reply said.

“It’s a shame, the actual game is lost on woke social practices.”

Many commenters also remarked on the current controversy about male cheerleaders being promoted as part of several NFL squads.

“Dumb. And also now with the male cheerleaders? Why?” one person wrote.

While male cheerleaders have been part of NFL squads for several years, a clip of rookie cheerleader Blaize Shiek being introduced went viral on social media, igniting significant backlash. Shiek is one of two male cheerleaders on the Minnesota Vikings squad.

In 2022, Justine Lindsay became the first transgender-identifying man to become an NFL cheerleader with the Carolina Panthers.

“I have had so many parents of young kids in the trans community say thank you for what I’m doing and that their son or daughter is watching me,” Lindsay said at the time, per NFL.com. “They are so pleased to see that I’m tearing down that wall.”

Lindsay will be cheering again for the Panthers for the 2025 season.