𝑩𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮: 𝑨𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒎𝒂 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝑲𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒏 𝑫𝒆𝑩𝒐𝒆𝒓 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒅𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒅 𝒂 𝒃𝒐𝒎𝒃𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒍—𝒉𝒆’𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒚𝒄𝒐𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑵𝑪𝑪𝑨 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕. “𝑶𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒅, 𝒊𝒕 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒃𝒂𝒍𝒍, 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒔

Alabama football head coach Kalen DeBoer has made headlines after announcing he will not take part in the NCAA’s Pride Night this season. His reason? He believes the game should stay focused on football, not politics.

“On the field, it should be about football, not politics,” DeBoer said in a statement this week.

Who Is Kalen DeBoer?

Kalen DeBoer took over as Alabama’s head coach in 2023, following the retirement of the legendary Nick Saban. Before Alabama, he led the Washington Huskies to a national championship appearance. His calm leadership style and modern offensive system have made him a rising star in college football.

Why He’s Boycotting Pride Night

The NCAA’s Pride Night is designed to support LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports. The event includes special pregame ceremonies and themed gear to celebrate diversity on and off the field.

DeBoer, however, says he won’t participate. He believes game day should be about the sport itself, without outside causes or messages.

“I want football to be the center of attention—nothing more, nothing less,” he said.

Fans React — Support and Criticism

DeBoer’s decision has received strong reactions from both sides:

• Supporters say he’s protecting the game’s focus:
  “His job is to coach, not to get political. He’s right to keep it about football.”

• Critics believe he’s missing the point:
  “Pride Night is about visibility and respect. Avoiding it sends the wrong message.”

This isn’t DeBoer’s first time in the spotlight. Some fans have questioned his laid-back style, including his choice to dress casually on the sidelines.

Why It Matters

This situation highlights a growing debate in sports:
Should coaches and teams take part in social campaigns—or stay focused only on the game?

The NCAA created Pride Night to promote acceptance in college sports. But when a high-profile coach like DeBoer opts out, it raises questions that go far beyond Alabama.

What Happens Next?

So far, Alabama’s athletic department has not released a response. With the 2025 season opener approaching in September, the pressure is building.

Many are now wondering: Will this affect DeBoer’s relationship with players, fans, or recruits?

Bottom Line

Kalen DeBoer’s decision to boycott Pride Night is bigger than football. It touches on a deeper national conversation about free speech, inclusion, and the role of politics in sports.

As the new season kicks off, this story will likely follow him—and the Crimson Tide—through every game.