New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart publicly addressed the controversy that stemmed from him introducing President Donald Trump at a rally last week.
Dart said he had had private conversations with teammates about the matter, and that those would remain private. He said his decision to accept the opportunity was born from a respect for the presidency, regardless of partisan affiliation.
“This was a unique opportunity, being asked and given the opportunity to introduce the President of the United States,” Dart told reporters. “My thinking is pretty simple: I’ve always loved this country. I have extended family members who have fought in wars. The president position has always been a position that I’ve long respected regardless of political affiliation and political party. My intentions were just that. I also understand that I am the quarterback of the New York Giants, and that involves a lot of responsibility. It’s under a microscope and there’s a lot that comes with that, and it’s something I’ve embraced.
“I can honestly say that I love every single one of my brothers, my teammates on this team, regardless of politics, regardless of religious beliefs, regardless of anything that may be different between us. They know exactly what kind of person I am. I lay my body on the line for my guys every single week.”