Mike Florio, founder of Pro Football Talk and an NBC Sports NFL analyst, announced Tuesday morning that he would not participate in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, describing his decision as a "conscious protest against a system that is corrupt, ugly, and broken." Florio's declaration, made via X, suggested he believed abstaining from voting was his most meaningful contribution.
However, Florio reversed his decision just a few hours later, stating on X that he had "decided it's more important to exercise the right, and to hope that those who are elected will behave differently." The pundit, known for his commentary on politics and social issues in addition to football, faced online mockery for his brief protest.
Clay Travis, founder of OutKick, joked about Florio's initial stance, while OutKick Senior Editor of Content Development Joe Kinsey and Barstool Sports host Kirk Minihane also offered sarcastic remarks. Jon Root of OutKick echoed the sentiment, calling Florio "so brave."
Florio, often described as a progressive activist, has previously used his platform to comment on various causes. He recently suggested the New York Giants should consider signing Colin Kaepernick, who last played in the NFL in 2016, as their starting quarterback in 2026.