New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart addressed criticism from a teammate after introducing President Donald Trump at a rally last week.
“The presidential position has always been one I’ve respected regardless of political affiliation,” Dart said in an answer that lasted more than four minutes. “I also understand in this world, politics can be a sensitive matter, a sensitive topic. I also understand that I am the quarterback of the New York Giants, and that involves a lot of responsibility. It’s under a limelight, under a microscope, and there’s a lot that comes with that — and it’s been something I’ve embraced.”
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During the rally, Dart introduced Trump by saying: “I’m grateful, I’m honored, I’m pleased to introduce the 45th and 47th president of the United States of America.”
The appearance sparked backlash online, including from teammate Abdul Carter, who reacted on social media in a since-deleted post: “Thought this s*** was AI, what we doing man.”
Still, Carter emphasized that the disagreement had not created division within the team on Friday.
“Jaxson is one of our leaders — he’s the face of our franchise,” Carter said. “He represents himself and what he does, and he represents all of us. If he chooses to align himself with a man like President Trump, it’s my responsibility, based on what I believe and what I stand on, to not only show my teammates that I’m against that, but to show the world.
“That doesn’t mean we have to spread hate,” the linebacker continued. “That doesn’t mean me and Jaxson hate each other or we have beef. I sit next to Jaxson every day; we’re close, we talk. As long as we make sure we have the same goal as a team, and our goals align — which they do — that’s all that matters. I just want to move past this.”
TRUMP TIES HIMSELF TO GIANTS QUARTERBACK JAXSON DART DURING NEW YORK SWING
Head coach John Harbaugh said the team met Tuesday to discuss the situation and the reaction surrounding Dart’s appearance. Harbaugh described the conversation as “a really good opportunity” for players to discuss how they want to engage with political and social issues while playing under the NFL spotlight.
The meeting “wasn’t real long,” Harbaugh said, but added that players “established amongst themselves how they want to approach these things as part of the dialogue in our society.”
