In a bizarre turn of events that left both fans and officials shaking their heads, the notorious trend of throwing sex toys onto professional sports fields made its NFL debut during the Cleveland Browns' season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field on September 7, 2025. The spectacle, which has plagued the WNBA throughout the summer, reached new territory as a bright green—or, according to some accounts, neon yellow—sex toy was hurled from the infamous Dawg Pound section onto the field during the second quarter of the high-stakes AFC North clash.
The incident unfolded as the Bengals were advancing toward the red zone, with the crowd’s attention momentarily diverted from the tense on-field action to the peculiar object that landed in the southeast corner of the end zone. Video footage quickly circulated on social media, showing an NFL official calmly picking up the offending item and tossing it toward the sideline, determined not to let the distraction interrupt the flow of play. Moments later, a security guard discreetly removed the object from view, ensuring that the contest between these in-state rivals continued without further delay.
"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," a WNBA spokesperson said last month after similar incidents rocked their league. The NFL, meanwhile, faces the challenge of identifying perpetrators in much larger crowds, with tens of thousands in attendance at Huntington Bank Field compared to WNBA venues.
This latest episode is just the most recent in a string of sex toy stunts that have swept through American sports. The trend began back on July 29, 2025, when a green sex toy was tossed onto the court during a WNBA game between the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream, landing near the free-throw line in a moment that left fans and players alike baffled. That initial incident was soon followed by a spate of copycat acts at other WNBA games, including one in Phoenix where Kaden Lopez, 18, was arrested after his thrown object struck a man and his 9-year-old niece. Delbert Carver, 23, of Marietta, Georgia, faced charges of disorderly conduct, public indecency, and criminal trespass after admitting to throwing sex toys at multiple games, including the original Atlanta event.
According to reports from ESPN and The Athletic, a cryptocurrency meme group has claimed responsibility for orchestrating these stunts, aiming to generate online buzz and promote a new crypto coin. In an interview with KFC Radio, members of the group stated their intention to continue such pranks at other major sporting events, though it remains unclear if the latest NFL incident is directly tied to their campaign. The group insists their actions are a protest against what they describe as a "toxic" environment in the cryptocurrency world, not a sign of disrespect toward athletes or fans.
The NFL is now grappling with the consequences of this disruptive trend as its 2025 season kicks off. Security teams are expected to be on high alert in the coming weeks, especially after another green object was reportedly thrown onto the field during the Indianapolis Colts vs. Miami Dolphins game later the same day. The league has yet to issue an official statement, but an investigation is anticipated as officials try to determine whether a Browns or Bengals supporter was responsible for the Cleveland incident. With the sheer size of NFL crowds, pinpointing the culprit may prove far more challenging than in the more intimate settings of WNBA arenas.
Despite the off-field antics, the Browns and Bengals delivered a compelling contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The Bengals, favored to win after the Browns endured a disappointing 3-14 campaign in 2024, took a 14-10 lead into halftime. But the narrative shifted in the third quarter when veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, now 40 and making his Browns debut as starter, connected with rookie wide receiver Cedric Tillman for a short touchdown, giving Cleveland a narrow 16-14 advantage. Cincinnati, however, was not to be outdone, reclaiming the lead and entering the final quarter ahead 17-16. The game remained a back-and-forth affair, with neither side willing to cede ground in this storied rivalry.
This home opener also marked the first game in Cleveland for highly touted rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, though he was slotted as the Browns’ third-string quarterback behind Flacco and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel. Sanders, a star at the collegiate level, is not expected to see significant playing time this year, but his presence on the roster has generated plenty of buzz among fans eager to see the team’s future take shape.
While the sex toy incident provided an unexpected and unwelcome sideshow, it did little to overshadow the intensity of the Browns-Bengals matchup. Both teams appeared determined to set the tone for their seasons, with Cleveland seeking redemption after last year’s struggles and Cincinnati looking to reassert its dominance in the division. The Dawg Pound, known for its raucous energy and passionate support, was as lively as ever—though this time, its notoriety extended beyond football for all the wrong reasons.
As the NFL and other sports leagues confront this strange and disruptive trend, questions linger about how best to prevent similar incidents in the future. Enhanced security measures, increased surveillance, and stricter penalties for offenders are all likely on the table as league officials and law enforcement agencies coordinate their response. For now, though, the Browns and Bengals will look to move forward, focusing on the season ahead and leaving the bizarre distractions behind.
With the Week 1 clash still fresh in everyone’s minds and no final outcome declared at press time, all eyes remain on the NFL as it seeks to balance fan enthusiasm with the need for safety and respect on the field. The hope is that the rest of the season will showcase the best of professional football—without any more unexpected interruptions from the stands.
