On 8 October, the New York Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh. This came only two days after he was seen sporting the flag of Lebanon attached to his team hoody:
🚨BREAKING: Two days after proudly displaying the Lebanese flag on his sleeve, Head Coach Robert Saleh has been fired by the New York Jets. pic.twitter.com/xXhIxKCL7r
— 𝓙𝓲𝓶𝓶𝔂 𝓙 🫒🔑🇵🇸 (@JimmyJ4thewin) October 8, 2024
Just 2 days after coach Robert Saleh wore the Lebanese flag on his sleeve, he’s been fired as the head coach of the NY Jets.
Definitely not a coincidence. https://t.co/WizERbKEfS pic.twitter.com/Cv0CflKotM
— Leyla Hamed (@leylahamed) October 8, 2024
According to NBC Sports, security escorted him out of the building. Importantly, this didn’t happen last time the Jets fired their head coach:
We commend Coach Robert Saleh for making history as the first American Muslim head coach in @NFL history. Although no one should jump to conclusions about why the @nyjets fired Coach Saleh, the report that Jets security physically escorted Saleh out of the building does raise… pic.twitter.com/JdlBslko1m
— CAIR National (@CAIRNational) October 8, 2024
My understanding is that Robert Saleh was fired this morning and then escorted out of the building by team security. There was no meeting with players to inform them or anything like that. He was in the building for work, and then he was out of the building and out of a job. https://t.co/syDwzCiXZn pic.twitter.com/BH7YjnvRN0
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 8, 2024
Trumps pal
The owner of the Jets – Woody Johnson – previously served as the US ambassador the United Kingdom during the Trump administration. He is also an heir to his family business, Johnson & Johnson. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires index, his net worth is an estimated $8.77bn. The Senate also investigated him in 2006 over his sketchy tax arrangements:
And owner, Woody Johnson of Johnson and Johnson, is a big Trump and Israel supporter. Any coincidence? https://t.co/RBDiXzTxkz
— J. C. Martin (@blackangelband2) October 8, 2024
According to CNN, back in 2020 the State Department’s watchdog investigated Johnson after allegations that he made both racist and sexist comments to staff.
Whilst many online are arguing that the Jets fired Saleh due to their recent results – having won just two out of five recent games, it is very uncommon for teams to fire NFL coaches mid-season. According to The Athletic, Johnson has never fired a coach mid-season before now:
.@NFL coaches DON’T get fired mid-season, esp after only 5 games & when QB @AaronRodgers12 is just back from injury, so let’s be direct: @nyjets & @woodyjohnson4 are racist & zionist for firing Robert Saleh after displaying #Lebanon flag–& should be boycotted!#GazaGenocide https://t.co/umd6hCAoQW pic.twitter.com/gsRkgDRuiN
— US Palestinian Community Network (@uspcn) October 8, 2024
Coincidence?
Saleh was the NFL’s first Muslim, Lebanese head coach. Last season he also wore Lebanon’s flag as part of the NFL’s heritage program. This encouraged players and coaching staff to wear flags from their countries of origin on helmets and jackets. Notably though, this weekend was the first time Saleh had worn the flag since Israel started indiscriminately bombing Lebanon. Still sounding like a coincidence?
They fired a Lebanese guy for *checks notes* wearing a Lebanese flag in support of his people who are getting murdered https://t.co/pnhSL2LkbX
— Shirien (@ShirienEG) October 8, 2024
So now people can’t display a country’s flag on themselves? This is literal fascism we should be up in arms about this https://t.co/apHC9xTnss
— H (@caprickhan) October 8, 2024
Back in 2011, Johnson visited Israel with former Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney. During the visit, they met with Benjamin Netanyahu – Israeli prime minister and genocidal maniac. They also visited an illegal Israeli settlement. Clearly, now Israel are carpet bombing Lebanon as well as Gaza – Saleh’s Lebanese flag became a problem for him:
Robert Saleh got fired because he showed support for Lebanon, you cannot change my mind or convince me otherwise. Woody Johnson (owner) is a life long republican donor and a staunch Zionist. Johnson and Johnson also has a long historical tie with Israel. #jets #lebanon #zionist pic.twitter.com/bcqepSHz94
— Nadim Korkmaz (@NadimKorkmaz) October 8, 2024
But remember, folks, Zionists don’t control western society, and you live in a free country to express your views in. https://t.co/evCrKcr2Mj
— Kevy B @YoContextKev@mastodon@social .bsky.social (@YoContextKev) October 9, 2024
Normal American Citizens, are you guys not worried about how much power Israel has over your country ?
From where we are standing you look like their little bitches meanwhile you are funding their insanity.
Doesn’t that concern you guys ? https://t.co/j4mEdumlNo
— The Answer (@Codex_ink) October 9, 2024
Of course, Saleh isn’t the first person showing solidarity with a country Israel is ruthlessly bombing who has lost a job. Multiple corporations have fired, or withdrawn job offers to, people who’ve expressed support for Palestine whilst Israel has mounted its genocidal assault in Gaza.
Sports professionals – as with any employees – should be able to mark their heritage, and their solidarity with countries in which Israel is committing murderous atrocities. They should be able to do so without fear of retribution.
Had Saleh adorned the Israel flag – a country which is ethnically cleansing Palestinians and now Lebanese people – I very much doubt he would be in the same position.
Feature image via Mail News/Youtube
