New York Jets head coach FIRED after wearing the Lebanese flag

On October 8, the New York Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh. This came just two days after he was spotted wearing the flag of Lebanon on his team hoodie:

🚨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 two days after coach Robert Saleh wore the Lebanese flag on his sleeve, he was fired as head coach of the NY Jets.

Absolutely no 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 the last time the Jets fired their head coach:

We commend coach Robert Saleh for making history as the first American Muslim head coach @NFL history. While no one should jump to conclusions about why the @nyjets Coach Saleh fired, calls out report that Jets security physically escorted Saleh from building… pic.twitter.com/JdlBslko1m

— CAIR National (@CAIRNational) October 8, 2024

I understand Robert Saleh was fired this morning and subsequently escorted from 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

Trump’s friend

The Jets’ owner – Woody Johnson – previously served as the US ambassador to Britain during the Trump administration. He is also heir to his family business, Johnson & Johnson. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, his net worth is an estimated $8.77 billion. The Senate also investigated him in 2006 for his sketchy tax schemes:

And owner, Woody Johnson of Johnson and Johnson, is a big supporter of Trump and Israel. Any coincidence? https://t.co/RBDiXzTxkz

— JC Martin (@blackangelband2) October 8, 2024

According to CNN, in 2020, the State Department watchdog investigated Johnson following allegations that he made both racist and sexist comments to staff.

While many online claim that the Jets fired Saleh because of their recent results – after winning just two of five recent games, it is very unusual for teams to fire NFL coaches mid-season. According to The athletic, Johnson has never fired a coach mid-season before:

.@NFL coaches do NOT get fired mid-season, especially after only 5 games and when QB @AaronRodgers12 just returned from injury, so let’s be direct: @nyjets & @woodyjohnson4 are racist and Zionist because they fired Robert Saleh after their actions #Lebanon flag–& should be boycotted!#Gazagenocide https://t.co/umd6hCAoQW pic.twitter.com/gsRkgDRuN

— American Palestinian Community Network (@uspcn) October 8, 2024

Chance?

Saleh was the NFL’s first Muslim, Lebanese head coach. He also carried the Lebanon flag last season 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. Remarkably, however, this weekend marked the first time Saleh carried the flag since Israel began indiscriminately bombing Lebanon. Does it still sound like a coincidence?

They fired a Lebanese man because he *checks notes* and wears a Lebanese flag in support of his people being murdered https://t.co/pnhSL2LkbX

— Shirien (@ShirienEG) October 8, 2024

So now people can’t display a country’s flag on themselves anymore? This is literally fascism, we should take action on this https://t.co/apHC9xTnss

— H (@caprickhan) October 8, 2024

In 2011, Johnson visited Israel with former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. During the visit they met Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister and genocidal maniac. They also visited an illegal Israeli settlement. It is clear that Israel is now bombing both Lebanon and Gaza – Saleh’s Lebanese flag became a problem for him:

Robert Saleh was fired for showing support for Lebanon. You can’t change my mind or convince me otherwise. Woody Johnson (owner) is a lifelong Republican donor and a fervent Zionist. Johnson and Johnson also have a long historical relationship with Israel. #jets #Lebanon #zionist pic.twitter.com/bcqepSHz94

— Nadim Korkmaz (@NadimKorkmaz) October 8, 2024

But remember, folks, the Zionists have no control over Western society, and you live in a free country where you can express your opinions. https://t.co/evCrKcr2Mj

— Kevy B @YoContextKev@mastodon@social .bsky.social (@YoContextKev) October 9, 2024

Normal American citizens, aren’t you concerned about how much power Israel has over your country?

From where we stand, you look like their little bitches as you fund their madness.

Doesn’t that concern you? https://t.co/j4mEdumlNo

— The Answer (@Codex_ink) October 9, 2024

Of course, Saleh is not the first person to show solidarity with a country that Israel is mercilessly bombing and who has lost a job. Several companies have fired or withdrawn job offers from people who expressed support for Palestine, while Israel has launched its genocidal assault on Gaza.

Sports professionals – like all other workers – must be able to highlight their heritage and their solidarity with countries where Israel is committing murderous atrocities. They must be able to do this without fear of retaliation.

If Saleh had decorated the flag of Israel – a country that is ethnically cleansing the Palestinians and now the Lebanese people – I seriously doubt he would be in the same position.

Feature image via Mail News/Youtube