NFL Fans Are Pissed Off At The Empire State Building’s Decision After Patriots-Broncos AFC Title Game [VIDEO]

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

The Empire State Building had NFL fans, likely New Yorkers, losing it on Sunday night. 

It’s safe to say they were in no mood for diplomacy after seeing the colors on the iconic skyscraper after the AFC Championship Game. In fact, they were all seeing red, given how upset they were. 

The supertall structure lit up in New England Patriots colors after the AFC East outfit beat the Denver Broncos. Hence, NY was understandably angry. 

The Patriots and the resident New York Jets are bitter rivals. Only recently, Pats head coach Mike Vrabel swore at them. So, fans were incensed after the Empire State Building celebrated New England. 

“Santa Clara bound! Shining in @Patriots colors in honor of their AFC Championship win,” the building’s X account announced.

Empire State Building Sees Massive Backlash

Fans went off in the comments after the tweet went into circulation. 

“@NYCMayor  Can we stop lighting up the Empire State Building in celebration of non New York Teams,” one wrote.

@NYCMayor Can we stop lighting up the Empire State Building in celebration of non New York Teams.

— Sports Fan 85 (@SportsFan__85) January 26, 2026

“You really need to terminate this contract with the NFL. The Johnson’s and Mara’s can’t just pay you to NOT night up in rival colors? They I am sure can match whatever the NFL is paying you,” another suggested.

You really need to terminate this contract with the NFL. The Johnson’s and Mara’s can’t just pay you to NOT night up in rival colors? They I am sure can match whatever the NFL is paying you.

— hop_hof_it (@hop_hof_it) January 26, 2026

Someone asked, “Wait, is this a joke?  You are in New York!  You think if the Jets won they would be lighting buildings up in green in Boston?  I feel like I’m having a stroke.”

Wait, is this a joke? You are in New York! You think if the Jets won they would be lighting buildings up in green in Boston? I feel like I’m having a stroke.

— Chest Rockwell (@ChestRockwellUS) January 26, 2026

“Yo what f***ing loser that works at the Empire State Building is approving putting up colors from other cities and teams? They should be FIRED,” one comment read.

Yo what fucking loser that works at the Empire State Building is approving putting up colors from other cities and teams? They should be FIRED

— Lopey (@Lopeyhimself) January 26, 2026

Someone else declared, “Not a chance in the world, Boston would light up one of its buildings in honor of a New York team.”

Not a chance in the world, Boston would light up one of its buildings in honor of a New York team

— Sean Mannion (@Astoria1958) January 25, 2026

The Empire State Building is contractually obligated to light up in certain colors during the year.

However, fans clearly felt like they could have skipped this one, given the enmity between the aforementioned franchises.