Young NFL star Jaxson Dart spoke Friday at a press conference about the controversy surrounding his decision to introduce President Donald Trump at a political rally last week.
Dart said he has “always loved this country,” and that he respected the position of president “regardless of political affiliation.”
Dart’s New York Giants coach John Harbaugh and teammates Abdul Carter and Jameis Winston also spoke to reporters.
Introducing the president at a New York rally a week ago, former Utah high school quarterback Dart said he was “honored” to introduce Trump. After, some of his teammates criticized his decision.
Dart, who finished his rookie season with the New York Giants this past year, ended up working to clear the air after a few teammates appeared frustrated with his move.
Second-year outside linebacker Abdul Carter took to X after he saw the video.
“Thought this (expletive) was AI, what we doing man,” he said, in a post that was later deleted.
Friday’s press conference
Dart told media the responsibility that comes with being a quarterback in New York is something he has embraced.
“I loved being here. I’ve loved the city of New York. I love the city of New Jersey, the people that I’ve met here. It’s just been a really amazing experience, and there’s not another place that I’d rather be.”
Dart says he understands “politics can be a sensitive matter.”
“We’ve had a lot of honest conversations, with each other, as a team and I’d like to keep those things private between me and my teammates,” he said. “But I love these guys, and going forward, I can’t wait for what more we have to grow.”
Carter, who recently returned from celebrating Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha, and missed a team meeting on Wednesday, told the media Friday that “Some things are bigger than football, and this is one of those things.”
“(Dart) 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,” he said.
Carter continued by saying he and Dart are “close” and “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.”
Veteran quarterback Jameis Winston said the “uncomfortable situation” is good for Dart and Carter to experience as young athletes who were drafted together to understand the platform they hold as athletes and how to come together.
“We don’t have to agree, we don’t have to respect or even understand people’s perspectives,” he said. “But I think we should support their perspective, because that’s what they believe in.”
New York Giants coach, John Harbaugh was also asked about the situation.
He brought up a story with former BYU football player and current Kansas City Head coach Andy Reid. He said Reid always had a card behind his desk that said “don’t judge.”
“I finally had the nerve to ask him, and he explained that, it’s a biblical principle. But the point is everybody comes from a different place, a different space a different background. People were brought up in all kinds of different ways,” Harbaugh recalled.
Harbaugh said he was impressed with the way the players and the team handled the situation, telling the media the players had already talked before he ever got involved, calling it a “really a good opportunity for us, as a football team, to have these kind of conversations around a real life incident.”
“We’re in a good place now, and we’re moving forward.”
Reaction to Dart’s Trump endorsement
Dart’s decision garnered plenty of attention as people questioned why he would make such a move when he plays for a team in a predominantly blue state.
But Carter gave an update on X, “Me and (Dart) are good! We spoke earlier as Men. Yall can keep yall narratives.”
According to ESPN, Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Winston were among Giants leaders discussing Dart’s appearance at New York Rep. Mike Lawler’s rally, where Trump was in attendance.
Sources say the topics discussed in the meeting will be kept “internal” and the team has moved past it.
Some condemned teammates calling Dart out on social media, like former Giants placekicker Lawrence Tynes.
“The locker room is a sacred place because it brings together everyone from all walks of life and beliefs for one common goal. Calling a teammate out publicly for his political views and to get attention is nasty work,” he wrote according to Newsweek.
Giants offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor responded to a claim on X from Boston Globe writer Ben Volin, insisting the locker room is not divided.
“Locker room is fine. Focus on New England.”