The statement, shared on both X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, quickly went viral, sparking outrage, support, and debate across the sports and political spectrum.

Bosa’s Post and Immediate Reaction

The full post, which was accompanied by a photo of Bosa in an American flag T-shirt, read:

“I stand by my values. I respect all people, but I won’t pretend to support agendas that don’t align with what I believe in. I will not celebrate Pride Month. WOKE doesn’t deserve to be commemorated.”

The post garnered more than 50,000 likes and 10,000 comments within the first two hours. While some fans applauded Bosa for “speaking his truth” and “standing up against political correctness,” others were quick to condemn what they saw as a targeted dismissal of the LGBTQ+ community during a month dedicated to visibility and inclusion.

LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, including GLAAD and Athlete Ally, issued statements criticizing the 26-year-old NFL star’s remarks.

“Nick Bosa’s words are not only deeply disappointing, but harmful,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, CEO of GLAAD. “Pride Month is about recognizing the courage and contributions of LGBTQ+ people—many of whom are football fans, teammates, and even fellow athletes. To reduce it to a ‘woke agenda’ is dismissive and dangerous.”

A History of Controversial Views

This is not the first time Bosa has been at the center of political controversy. Prior to the 2019 NFL Draft, Bosa made headlines for past social media activity, including posts criticizing Colin Kaepernick, calling Donald Trump “the GOAT,” and liking posts associated with right-wing figures and ideologies.

At the time, Bosa’s views raised questions about his fit with the 49ers, a team based in the liberal stronghold of San Francisco. However, his on-field performance quickly overshadowed the debate. Since being drafted second overall in 2019, Bosa has become one of the league’s most dominant pass rushers and a key figure on the 49ers’ defense.

Still, Friday’s statement represents his most direct and public stance against LGBTQ+ recognition to date.

49ers Organization Responds

The San Francisco 49ers organization issued a brief statement Saturday morning:

“The 49ers are committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all fans, players, and staff. While we support the right of individual expression, Nick’s comments do not reflect the values of our organization.”

Sources close to the team told the San Francisco Chronicle that front office executives were “blindsided” by Bosa’s post and that internal discussions are underway regarding a potential team-wide statement reaffirming support for Pride Month.

The team has historically participated in Pride celebrations, including hosting LGBTQ+ fan nights and collaborating with San Francisco-based organizations during June.

Teammates, League Silent — For Now

As of Saturday afternoon, most of Bosa’s teammates had not publicly addressed the statement. However, a source within the team who requested anonymity described the locker room reaction as “mixed.”

“There are guys who agree with him, and there are guys who are just shaking their heads,” the source said. “But everyone knows Nick is going to say what he wants to say.”

The NFL, which has increased its LGBTQ+ outreach in recent years—including public service announcements, rainbow-themed merchandise, and partnerships with LGBTQ+ advocacy groups—has not yet commented.

In the past, the league has faced criticism for perceived hypocrisy: promoting Pride campaigns while also employing players or owners who have made controversial or anti-LGBTQ+ remarks. How the league chooses to address Bosa’s comments may be seen as a litmus test for its broader diversity and inclusion efforts.

Political and Cultural Reactions

Bosa’s post instantly became fodder for political commentators and social media influencers. Right-wing pundits like Ben Shapiro and Charlie Kirk hailed the move, with Kirk tweeting, “Finally, an athlete with a spine. Nick Bosa refuses to bend the knee to the rainbow cult. Bravo.”

On the other end of the spectrum, MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan said Bosa’s comments were “a textbook example of the backlash against social progress masquerading as ‘values.’”

In a broader sense, Bosa’s post touches on an increasingly polarized national conversation, where terms like “woke” have become political lightning rods. Originally used within Black communities to describe social awareness and activism, “woke” has since been co-opted and weaponized by some conservative voices to criticize progressive social movements, including LGBTQ+ rights.

Sponsors and Endorsements

As of now, none of Bosa’s corporate sponsors have publicly responded to his remarks. Bosa has endorsement deals with major brands including Nike, Bose, and Panini America. Activists are already pressuring these companies to cut ties with the All-Pro defensive end if they wish to maintain credibility with LGBTQ+ consumers.

“If Nike truly believes in equality, they’ll drop Bosa immediately,” said Carla Santiago, a prominent LGBTQ+ activist in California. “Silence is complicity.”

Nike, in particular, has been outspoken in its support for LGBTQ+ inclusion and has previously dropped athletes or collaborators over controversial statements.

What Comes Next?

Whether Bosa’s post will have a lasting impact on his career remains to be seen. In the short term, the statement is likely to overshadow offseason activities for the 49ers, who are preparing for a potential Super Bowl run in 2025 after falling short in the previous season.

Some analysts believe the controversy could become a distraction for the team. Others argue it reflects a larger cultural divide that is increasingly playing out within the world of sports.

Either way, Bosa’s words have already ignited a national conversation—one that may continue to dominate headlines throughout the month of June.

For now, the star defensive end appears unbothered by the backlash. In a follow-up story posted to Instagram hours after his initial post, Bosa wrote simply: “You can hate me. I’m still not apologizing.”