EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter explained Friday why he chose to publicly oppose his teammate quarterback Jaxson Dart’s appearance at a President Donald Trump rally last week.
“Some things are bigger than football, and this is one of those things,” Carter explained. “Jaxson is one of our leaders. He’s the face of our franchise. He not only represents himself and what he does, but he represents all of us and that goes for anybody who wears a Giants uniform. But 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.”
After discovering that footage of Dart appearing on stage with Trump was authentic, Carter posted criticism on social media Saturday. The linebacker reported that he and Dart had a conversation hours afterward and resolved their differences, statements he reiterated following an offseason practice session.
“That doesn’t mean that we have to spread hate,” Carter explained. “It doesn’t mean that me and Jaxson hate each other or we have beef. I sit next to Jaxson every day, every team meeting. We’re close. We talk. As long as we make sure we’ve got the same goal as a team and our goals align, which they do, then I feel like that’s all that matters.”
Through a prepared statement, Dart addressed the matter with his teammates without mentioning Trump by name, expressing his respect for the presidential office.
Coach John Harbaugh believes the Giants organization will emerge stronger from this experience.
