The Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams posted social-media messages recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Oct. 12, 2026, which was also the federal Columbus Day holiday. The NFL and other teams made no Columbus Day posts, according to Fox News’ OutKick report.
The report says the three teams’ posts drew critical replies from users who argued the teams should have recognized Columbus Day. Some commenters also challenged the Vikings’ use of a name associated with Norse history, while a commenter identifying as Cherokee objected to the Chiefs’ post.
The Chiefs said their recognition was intended to show appreciation for the American Indian Community Working Group and its efforts to educate the team and honor tribes with historical ties to the region, according to the report. The Rams posted their message before playing on Monday.
The article characterizes the teams’ silence as a deliberate response to a politically contentious holiday, but provides no direct statements from the NFL or the teams explaining why they did not post. That motive therefore remains unconfirmed.
The report also notes that Columbus Day was established as a federal holiday in 1934 and refers to a 2026 presidential proclamation honoring Columbus. The posts and online responses reflect competing views about how the holiday should be observed; the source does not establish broader public opinion.
