BREAKING: Red Sox' Roman Anthony Faces Backlash After Refusing to Celebrate Pride Month, Calls "Woke" Movement Undeserving of Celebration
"I RESPECT EVERYONE, BUT I DON'T THINK 'WOKE' DESERVES TO BE CELEBRATED. BASEBALL SHOULD BE ABOUT COMPETITION AND UNITY - NOT POLITICS."
In a controversial and polarizing move, Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony has ignited a firestorm of debate across Major League Baseball and beyond after announcing he will not be celebrating Pride Month this year. The comments, made during a routine press session, have raised eyebrows, sparked heated reactions, and thrown the league into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
The Shocking Quote
Anthony, one of the most promising young players in MLB, made his stance clear when questioned about Pride Month and the ongoing push for inclusivity in sports. With his characteristic confidence, Anthony delivered a statement that was both unexpected and incendiary:
"I respect everyone, but I don’t think ‘woke’ deserves to be celebrated. Baseball should be about competition and unity — not politics."
The statement, simple yet direct, immediately went viral and sent shockwaves through the MLB community. Anthony’s words stirred a frenzy of reactions on social media, sports talk shows, and across public platforms, with opinions divided like never before.
The Fallout: Fans and Teammates React
Anthony’s comments were met with an immediate and intense response. On social media, the hashtags #StandWithAnthony and #CancelAnthony began trending within hours, reflecting the deep division his remarks caused.
Supporters of the Red Sox outfielder hailed his words as a bold stand for principle. Many voiced their admiration for his willingness to reject the increasingly political nature of sports, particularly in the wake of movements such as Black Lives Matter and Pride Month celebrations. These fans argue that sports should remain a place for competition and escape from the pressures of societal and political movements.
One fan tweeted, "Anthony is just telling it like it is. We don’t need to mix politics with baseball. It’s about the game, not agendas."
However, Anthony’s comments were far from universally supported. Critics quickly voiced their disapproval, calling his stance "out of touch" and "a dangerous step backward" for the inclusivity efforts MLB has championed in recent years. The backlash focused heavily on the notion that Anthony’s influence as one of the league’s rising stars carries significant weight, and his decision to distance himself from Pride Month celebrations may be seen as a regression in the ongoing fight for equality and visibility for the LGBTQ+ community.
"I’m disappointed in Roman Anthony," one user wrote. "He’s a role model for so many, and his comments send a message that being inclusive isn’t important. That’s not the leadership we need from our stars."
MLB's Response: A Delicate Situation
Sources within MLB have expressed concern over Anthony’s comments, fearing the potential fallout could harm the league's reputation as it continues to align itself with movements that advocate for social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and equality.
"MLB has invested a significant amount of time and resources into fostering inclusivity, and Anthony’s words could complicate that," one league source said. "It’s one thing for a player to have personal beliefs, but it’s another when that player is one of the most visible faces in baseball."
While MLB has yet to make an official statement regarding Anthony’s remarks, insiders reveal that league executives are worried about the potential impact on their Pride Month campaigns and relationships with LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. MLB has long been an ally to the LGBTQ+ community, including partnerships with organizations such as the Trevor Project, and Anthony’s comments represent a dramatic departure from that stance.
The Red Sox’ Response: Silence Amidst Tension
As of now, Anthony’s teammates have largely remained silent on the issue. Some analysts speculate that behind closed doors, there may be discomfort among the Red Sox locker room, given the sensitive nature of the comments. However, no players have publicly criticized or supported Anthony at this time.
In Boston, the fanbase has been equally divided. While some supporters rally behind their young outfielder, others feel betrayed by his comments, which many see as contrary to the unity that the Red Sox have long represented.
"I’ve been a Red Sox fan for years, but this feels like a betrayal," said one fan outside Fenway Park. "I thought Anthony was different. He’s the face of this team, but now it feels like he's ignoring what matters."
The Bigger Picture: Culture Wars in Sports
Anthony’s decision to publicly reject Pride Month celebrations has propelled him into the center of America's ongoing culture wars, placing him at the intersection of sports and politics. While some see his stance as a principled rejection of "woke" culture, others argue that it undermines the values of inclusivity and progress that MLB has worked to embrace.
The comments highlight the broader tension within the sports world about how athletes should use their platforms and whether their role as public figures comes with an obligation to stand for more than just athletic achievement. As professional sports increasingly become a battleground for social issues, Anthony’s refusal to take part in Pride Month celebrations is a stark reminder of the divides that continue to shape both the game and society as a whole.
The Future: A Long Road Ahead
Whether Anthony’s comments will have lasting repercussions remains to be seen. What is undeniable is that they have reignited a conversation about the role of politics in sports, the meaning of unity, and the need for athletes to lead by example.
For now, Roman Anthony will have to navigate the fallout from his remarks, while MLB looks ahead to how this controversy will impact the league’s relationship with both its fans and its LGBTQ+ partners. One thing is for sure: Anthony’s stance has made a major impact, but whether it’s one that will help or hinder his legacy remains to be determined.
Bo Nix Called ‘NFL’s Worst Quarterback’ Following Week 1 Broncos Win
The Denver Broncos second year quarterback began 2025 with a performance to forget in a 20-12 home win over the lowly Tennessee Titans, turning the ball over 3 times and looking generally lost running his own offense.
Nix finished 25-of-40 passing for 176 yards, 2 interceptions and 1 lost fumble — bad enough that he was one of just a handful of quarterbacks to be given an “F’ grade from Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski in Week 1.
“Bo Nix turned into a pleasant surprise after being the sixth first-round quarterback selected in the 2024 NFL draft,” Sobleski wrote on September 9. “He was an ideal fit for Sean Payton’s offense and a mature prospect, which led to an easier transition compared to most. At the start of Year 2, though, Nix didn’t look nearly as comfortable and had to rely heavily on his defense to get the job done against a Tennessee Titans team not expected to do much this season. Three turnovers, while averaging 4.4 yards per attempt, won’t be enough against much better opponents.”
Luckily for the Broncos and Nix, “much better opponents” are still a few weeks away — the Broncos travel to face the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2.
Nix was one of just 3 quarterbacks out of 32 to receive an “F” grade in Week 1 alongside Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and New York Giants quarterback and former Bronco Russell Wilson — Nix was also the only one of the 3 to walk away with a win.
Reminiscent of Nix’s Week 4 Rookie Performance
While not sinking to the same depths, Nix’s Week 1 performance in 2025 harkened back to his Week 4 performance as a rookie in 2024 in a 10-9 win over the New York Jets.
That game, Nix went 12-of-25 passing for 60 yards, 1 touchdown and no interceptions as the Broncos went 3-of-14 on third downs. It was Nix’s first career touchdown pass.
“… Courtland Sutton caught three passes for 60 yards,” Sports Illustrated’s Ryan Phillips wrote after the game. “That means that Nix’s nine completions to six other receivers combined to total zero yards. Remarkable. Nix started the game 7-of-15 for -7 yards. So he averaged -1 yards on his first seven completions. Nix did run the ball five times but only gained three yards. That’s 0.6 yards per carry. Overall, he had 63 total yards on 28 touches, which is 2.3 yards per play. Yikes.”
Broncos Snapped 9-Year Playoff Drought in 2024
The Broncos and Nix ended their 9-year playoff drought in 2024 and bring back arguably the NFL’s best defense in 2025 as they try to make the postseason in consecutive years.
Nix started all 17 games as a rookie and finished third in NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year voting behind Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers.
Nix was the last of a record-tying 6 quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft at No. 12 overall — Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams went No. 1 overall, Daniels at No. 2, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye at No. 3, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 and Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy at No. 10 overall.
All 6 quarterbacks started Week 1 of the 2025 season as their team’s starter. Only McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie season with a torn meniscus, failed to start a game in 2024.
