Former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason, who once played football for the University of Maryland, slammed his alma mater for their decision to indefinitely postpone a screening of “American Sniper.”
The school’s “Muslim Students Association” had circulated a petition claiming that the film “only perpetuates the spread of Islamophobia and is offensive to many Muslims around the world for good reason.”
“This movie dehumanizes Muslim individuals, promotes the idea of senseless mass murder, and portrays negative and inaccurate stereotypes,” the petition read.
Esiason, currently a radio host whose name is still featured prominently on the school’s football stadium, tweeted that he was “deeply saddened and insulted” by the school’s decision and would no longer be donating to them:
http://t.co/8Jw8ucOJT5 never donating another dime to U of MD. As a 9/11/01 victim I’m deeply saddened and insulted. #ChrisKyle is a HERO!
— Boomer Esiason (@7BOOMERESIASON) April 23, 2015
@7BOOMERESIASON This is how I felt after attending the premier of American Sniper back in December. #wakeupAmerica #ChrisKyle
— Boomer Esiason (@7BOOMERESIASON) April 25, 2015
The University has since clarified that they were “not involved in the decision to postpone or cancel the showing of American Sniper. This decision was made by Student Entertainment Events, a student-led organization comprised of undergraduate students who work alongside advisors n the creation, promotion, and operation of campus events.”
The Student Entertainment Events then urged their Facebook followers to “please be assured that American Sniper will be shown on the University of Maryland campus in early fall. Thank you for reaching out to voice your concerns with the SEE’s decision to postpone the viewing of American Sniper.”
When they initially announced their postponement in a blog post, they wrote that they “would like to take sufficient time” to discuss the matter “after meeting with concerned student organizations.”
Earlier this year the University of Michigan reversed their decision to cancel the film after a national uproar.
