Arizona Cardinals’ new social media hashtag questioned, blasted by fans

The Arizona Cardinals unveiled a new hashtag just in time for the start of the 2022 NFL draft on Thursday.

Many fans of the team aren’t really digging it, judging by early social media reaction.

Many fans of the NFL team took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the hashtag, and the reaction wasn’t positive.

Many wondered why the team couldn’t just continue to use RedSea or BirdGang, two popular hashtags for the organization.

instead of using what the fans have claimed for themselves, and the redsea you have been using something for years you are trying something new…okay, but did you focus group it at all? Bird City? Really?

The Arizona Cardinals’ recent introduction of a new social media hashtag has sparked backlash among fans, leading to widespread criticism on various platforms. The team unveiled the hashtag “#RedSeaRising” to promote the team’s brand and unite their fanbase, but it has faced immediate rejection from many supporters.

The issue isn’t necessarily with the idea of creating a unifying slogan, but with the execution. Fans feel that the hashtag feels forced and lacks authenticity. “Red Sea” was previously used in the context of the team’s fanbase, but its sudden rebranding feels disconnected from the traditional, organic connection that many supporters have with the team. Some fans have pointed out that it sounds like a marketing gimmick, rather than a term that naturally encapsulates the community and spirit of Cardinals fans.

Criticism has also been directed at the team’s marketing strategy, with some questioning the lack of fan input. The hashtag appears to ignore the longstanding “Birdgang” identity, a nickname widely embraced by the fanbase. The Birds’ faithful have used “Birdgang” for years to describe their community, and many feel that abandoning or replacing it is a sign of disrespect to the established culture.

The backlash reflects a growing frustration with sports teams and their marketing efforts to create viral moments at the expense of tradition. Fans want to feel personally connected to their team’s identity, but when they perceive these efforts as superficial or out of touch, it risks alienating the very people they hope to engage. For the Cardinals, the challenge now is determining whether “#RedSeaRising” can evolve into something that resonates, or if the backlash will ultimately prompt them to rethink the campaign.