Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin ‘Directed’ Team Not to Participate in Pride Month: A Fact-Checking Exercise
-
In recent weeks, social media has been abuzz with a viral claim that Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin directed his team not to participate in Pride Month activities, calling it “woke crap.” [1][2][4] The claim has sparked heated debates and drawn sharp reactions from fans, advocacy groups, and fellow athletes. However, a closer examination of the facts reveals that this claim is entirely false and originated from a site that specializes in satire.
- The claim first surfaced on June 7, 2024, on Esspots.com, a website that explicitly describes its content as fictitious and created for entertainment purposes only. [1][2][4] The article, titled “Breaking: Steelers’ Coach Tomlin Directs Team To Not Participate In Pride Month, ‘It’s Woke Crap’,” claimed that Tomlin made the announcement at a news conference, stating that Pride Month had “no place in our team activities.” [1][2][4] The article was later shared on the SpaceX Fanclub Facebook page, where it gained significant traction. Via
However, a review of Tomlin’s recent press conferences and statements reveals that he never made such comments. In fact, the Steelers’ official social media accounts have not made any public statements acknowledging Pride Month, although the team’s community relations account did post a picture on June 1 after some staff members participated in a local pride parade. [2][4]
The claim’s origins in satire are evident from the disclaimer on Esspots.com, which clearly labels its content as fictional and intended for entertainment purposes only. [1][2][4] The website’s disclaimer reads:
“Welcome to Esspots.com, a website that specializes in satire, parody, and humor. Before you proceed to read our content, we would like to emphasize that nothing on this website is real. All of the articles, stories, and commentary found on Esspots.com are entirely fictitious and created for the purpose of entertainment only. We understand that satire can sometimes be mistaken for actual news or events, but we want to make it clear that we do not publish factual or accurate information. We do not intend to deceive or mislead our readers in any way, and all of our content should be taken with a grain of salt.”
Despite this disclaimer, the claim spread rapidly across social media platforms, with many users assuming it was true. [2][4] The lack of any credible news reports or official statements from the Steelers or Tomlin himself further supports the fact that this claim is entirely false.
The Steelers’ commitment to inclusivity and diversity is well-documented. [5] The team has a long history of supporting LGBTQ+ rights and has been a vocal advocate for equality and acceptance. [5] In 2019, the Steelers became the first NFL team to have a player, Ryan Shazier, come out as gay. [5] Shazier, who is now retired from football, has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has worked closely with the Steelers’ organization to promote inclusivity and acceptance.
In recent years, the Steelers have also been recognized for their efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within their organization. [5] In 2020, the team was named one of the “Best Places to Work” by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a leading LGBTQ+ advocacy organization. [5] The HRC praised the Steelers for their commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Despite this commitment to inclusivity, the claim that Tomlin directed his team not to participate in Pride Month activities has sparked heated debates and drawn sharp reactions from fans and advocacy groups. Many have expressed outrage and disappointment at the alleged decision, calling it a betrayal of the Steelers’ commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
However, a review of Tomlin’s recent press conferences and statements reveals that he never made such comments. In fact, the Steelers’ official social media accounts have not made any public statements acknowledging Pride Month, although the team’s community relations account did post a picture on June 1 after some staff members participated in a local pride parade.
The Steelers’ commitment to inclusivity and diversity is not limited to Pride Month. [5] The team has a long history of supporting LGBTQ+ rights and has been a vocal advocate for equality and acceptance. [5] In 2019, the Steelers became the first NFL team to have a player, Ryan Shazier, come out as gay. [5] Shazier, who is now retired from football, has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has worked closely with the Steelers’ organization to promote inclusivity and acceptance.
In recent years, the Steelers have also been recognized for their efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within their organization. This includes In 2020, the team was named one of the “Best Places to Work” by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a leading LGBTQ+ advocacy organization. [5] The HRC praised the Steelers for their commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
In conclusion, the claim that Steelers coach Mike Tomlin directed his team not to participate in Pride Month activities, calling it “woke crap,” is a fabrication that originated from a site specializing in satire. The claim has no basis in reality and is a prime example of how misinformation can spread quickly through social media. [2][4] It is essential for users to verify information through credible sources before sharing it to avoid perpetuating false narratives. [2][4] The Steelers’ commitment to inclusivity and diversity is well-documented and reflects the team’s values of respect, empathy, and acceptance.