Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) issued a statement Addressing the firing of former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh on Tuesday.
CAIR calls on the Jets and owner Woody Johnson to clarify reports Saleh was escorted His firing followed being escorted out of the building by security, and also brought up the fact that Saleh was fired just days after wearing a pin with the Lebanese flag amid Israel’s ongoing attacks on the nation.
Saleh is of Lebanese descent and was the first Muslim head coach in NFL history.
“We applaud Coach Robert Saleh for making history as the first American Muslim head coach in NFL history. While no one should draw any conclusions as to why the Jets fired Coach Saleh, reports that Jets security physically escorted Saleh out of the building, raising concerns about a possible motive for such unusual hostility – especially considering that Saleh had worn a Lebanese flag pin at a game a few days earlier and owner Woody Johnson, a former Trump administration official who has been accused of making racist comments, “encourages the Jets to explain his unusually hostile behavior toward Coach Saleh,” the statement said. ”
Fox News Digital has contacted the Jets multiple times for comment but has not received a response by the time of publication.
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Head coach Robert Saleh and New York Jets owner Woody Johnson talk during the New York Jets mandatory minicamp at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on June 11, 2024 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Saleh’s parents were both born in Lebanon and immigrated to the United States before his birth in 1979. Saleh previously wore the Lebanese flag on his arm during a game against the Giants, just weeks after Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. ,
Saleh wore that patch during the week when Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s executive vice president of club business, issued a statement encouraging players to represent their heritage through decals on the back of their helmets with their flags While coaches added a patch to their team’s gear.
Saleh’s decision to wear the patch in London on Sunday comes as Israel continues to attack Lebanon and Gaza as it seeks to confront Hamas and Hezbollah.
CAIR says Johnson “has been accused of making racist comments,” referencing an investigation in 2020 that never confirmed whether Johnson made these comments. Johnson was accused of making racist and sexist comments to staff while serving as ambassador to the United Kingdom under the Trump administration. Johnson was investigated by a State Department watchdog in July 2020 following the allegations.
Johnson denied the allegations in a post on the US Ambassador to the UK’s official X (then known as Twitter) account the same month.
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New York Jets owner Woody Johnson watches before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrizar Stadium on October 2, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Johnson wrote, “I have at all times followed the ethical rules and requirements of my office. These false claims and insensitive comments about race and gender are completely inconsistent with my long-standing record and values.”
The findings of the investigation were never made public.
At the time, Johnson was not involved with the Jets, as he was performing his diplomatic duties for Trump. Nevertheless, the Jets released a statement regarding the allegations against Johnson and noted his denials.
“Since the Johnson family became owners of the New York Jets, the organization has consistently and actively supported, engaged and encouraged the development of many different social justice, diversity, women and inclusion initiatives,” the team said in a statement. ” “One of our fundamental principles is to treat staff, players, coaches and fans with dignity and respect regardless of their race, color, religion or gender. These principles have been established by the Johnson family, whom Woody Has been implemented in our organization for the last 20 years.
Saleh was hired by the Jets in January 2021 while Johnson was in his final month of duties as ambassador to the UK, therefore, the owner did not make a final decision on hiring Saleh. It was Johnson’s brother, Christopher Johnson, who made the decision to hire Saleh.
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The Jets’ Aaron Rodgers walks off the field in the first half as Jets head coach Robert Saleh walks off the field as the Denver Broncos beat the New York Jets 10–9 at MetLife Stadium. (Chris Pedota, via NorthJersey.com/USA TODAY Network Images)
When Trump left office and Woody Johnson returned to his duties as Jets owner, he kept Saleh employed for three consecutive seasons, none of which resulted in a trip to the playoffs or a winning record. Saleh went 20-36 with New York and never won more than seven games in a year while at the helm.
Then, when Saleh was fired on Tuesday, the coach was reportedly escorted out of the team facility by security, according to multiple reports. Most recently fired head coaches jets, Adam Gase was fired after the conclusion of his second season and was reportedly not cleared by security.
The Jets are off to a 2-3 start this year after losing 23-17 to the Minnesota Vikings in London on Sunday, as New York is one of the most penalized teams in the league this year. The Jets have struggled this year despite a veteran star quarterback aaron rodgers Starting all five games this season.
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