The NFL’s Week 2 clash between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Jacksonville Jaguars was already set to be a high-stakes matchup, but no one could have predicted the bizarre twist it would take. In a scene that’s left fans, broadcasters, and league officials scratching their heads—and social media in stitches—a rogue sex toy found its way onto the field, triggering confusion, laughter, and a renewed debate about fan behavior in American sports arenas.
The incident occurred early in the third quarter, just moments after Bengals backup quarterback Jake Browning connected with Mitchell Tinsley for a touchdown, leveling the score at 17-17 following the extra point. As the Bengals celebrated in the end zone, a bright green object suddenly sailed from the stands, bounced down the sideline, and came to rest inside the end zone. The object, unmistakably an adult sex toy, was quickly spotted by both players and alert viewers at home.
What happened next only added to the spectacle. CBS, the host broadcaster for the game, mistook the neon green toy for a penalty flag. In a comedic twist, the network flashed a ‘FLAG’ warning on the screen and briefly paused the broadcast, leaving fans and commentators alike baffled. No foul had been committed, and the touchdown stood, but the moment was immortalized as clips of the incident racked up millions of views online. According to ESPN, “The broadcast team appeared to mistake the item for a ‘penalty flag’ and flashed up a ‘flag’ graphic at the bottom of its scoreboard.”
Social media erupted with humor and disbelief. One fan quipped on X (formerly Twitter), “Best play in football this year.” Another joked, “If they change that button to a neon green ‘D**do’ button it will be the best thing that ever happened sports.” The viral video of the incident has already been viewed over eight million times, and the phrase “dildo on the play” briefly trended as fans shared their reactions. “Well you don’t see that every day,” another fan commented, summing up the collective bewilderment.
This peculiar episode is just the latest in a mounting trend that’s swept across American sports. The so-called “sex toy epidemic” began earlier in the 2025 WNBA season, where multiple incidents led to fan ejections, arrests, and stern league statements. The WNBA, facing repeated disruptions, issued a public warning: “The safety of everyone in our arenas remains a top priority. We are working closely with local and federal law enforcement to pursue all appropriate actions—including arrest and prosecution with felony charges where applicable—against anyone engaged in this conduct or otherwise involved in sponsoring this reckless and unacceptable behavior.”
That crackdown has included immediate ejection and a minimum one-year ban for any fan caught throwing objects onto the court, along with possible criminal prosecution. In one high-profile case, authorities detained a spectator suspected of hurling a sex toy during a July contest between the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries. The league’s tough stance appears to have been necessary, as the trend shows no sign of slowing down. A cryptocurrency meme group even admitted to instigating some of these incidents as a form of protest against what they called a “toxic” environment in the crypto world.
The NFL, for its part, has not been immune. The Bengals-Jaguars game wasn’t even the first such incident of the season. In Week 1, a sex toy was removed from the field during the Cleveland Browns’ home opener against the Bengals, and another was spotted during the Indianapolis Colts’ victory over the Miami Dolphins. During Monday Night Football, a security guard was applauded for removing a sex toy from the field during the Minnesota Vikings’ win over the Chicago Bears. The growing frequency of these incidents has left league officials and stadium security scrambling for solutions.
Yet, for all the laughter and viral memes, the Bengals-Jaguars contest was also marked by a far more serious development: the injury to Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow. Burrow, Cincinnati’s first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and an MVP candidate last season, went down in the second quarter after being taken to the ground by a Jaguars defender. He grabbed at his left foot and remained on the turf as trainers rushed to his side. Burrow eventually limped off to the locker room under his own power, but the Bengals’ hopes seemed to take a hit with his departure.
Initially listed as questionable to return, Burrow was later ruled out for the remainder of the game. The injury cast a long shadow over the Bengals’ season aspirations, especially after a disappointing, playoff-less 2024 campaign. Burrow’s résumé speaks for itself: 43 touchdowns and just nine interceptions the previous year, and a reputation for resilience despite a string of injuries. He tore his ACL midway through his rookie season and missed much of 2023 with a wrist injury. The Bengals, trailing 17-10 at halftime, turned to Jake Browning in relief. Browning’s touchdown pass to Tinsley provided a glimmer of hope, but questions about Burrow’s long-term health now loom large.
Fans and analysts alike are anxiously awaiting updates on Burrow’s condition. The team’s playoff hopes may well hinge on his ability to return to full strength. “A serious injury to Burrow would be an absolute crusher for a Bengals team looking to leave a playoff-less 2024 campaign in the rearview,” noted The New York Post. For now, the Bengals will have to rally behind Browning and hope their star quarterback’s absence is only temporary.
Meanwhile, the NFL faces a different kind of challenge—how to curb the growing trend of fans throwing adult toys onto the field. With similar incidents now spanning multiple teams and sports, league officials are likely to follow the WNBA’s lead by implementing stricter penalties and working closely with law enforcement. The safety of players and the integrity of the game are at stake, and while this latest episode has provided plenty of comic relief, it also highlights the need for vigilance and respect in stadiums across the country.
As the Bengals and Jaguars continue their season, all eyes remain on both the health of Joe Burrow and the league’s response to this bizarre new fan phenomenon. One thing’s for sure: NFL fans won’t soon forget the night a neon green sex toy stole the spotlight in Cincinnati.
