New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh courted controversy Sunday during the team’s NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings in London.
The 45-year-old was spotted on the sidelines of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium wearing a Lebanese flag beneath the Nike logo on the sleeve of his team hoodie.
The night before Sunday’s game – the first of the NFL’s international games this season – Israeli bombing continued on Beirut, the Lebanese capital, amid the war between Israel and Hezbollah.
The Hezbollah stronghold in southern Beirut was hit by more than 30 attacks overnight, heard across the city, with smoke still rising from the site after sunrise, the official National News Agency said. Lebanon.
Saleh, who is of Lebanese descent, previously wore a similar emblem last October, but his decision to carry the flag on Sunday raised eyebrows as the anniversary of the start of the war in Gaza approaches.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh caused controversy by wearing a Lebanese flag on his sleeve
Smoke rises from a fire after an explosion following an Israeli attack in Beirut, Lebanon, early October 6
Saleh’s attire in the aftermath of the attacks divided NFL fans on social media and left many outraged, while others defended his right to be proud of his heritage.
“Robert Saleh has undoubtedly teased much of the Jewish community in York with the flag of Lebanon on his crest,” a social media user told X, formerly known as Twitter.
“What is that guy doing,” another added, while a third wrote: “I hope they leave Hezbollah Sally in London when the Jets come back to New York.”
The Jets were humiliated by the Vikings in the first half of Sunday’s game, risking a huge defeat until a final touchdown on the brink of halftime.
And some social media users claimed Saleh’s political stance would not help his job security.
“A bigger problem is the Lebanese flag on Saleh’s sleeve,” said one fan, in response to another post criticizing the Jets’ performance.
“I’m not sure Robert Saleh, carrying the Lebanese flag, which he clearly added himself, will help him with his ownership now that his team is embarrassed again,” another added.
“Yeah, looks like destroying my football team with his terrible coaching isn’t enough,” chimed in a third.
Saleh’s choice of clothing divided NFL fans on social media and left many outraged
Others, however, defended Saleh and highlighted his Lebanese-American background.
One posted: “He is a Lebanese American. Everyone else can be proud of their heritage. Why would he do that?’
“Robert Saleh with the Lebanese flag is cool,” said a message from another account. “I hope he talks or posts about what is happening to his people in Lebanon.”
A third echoed the argument, saying: ‘Good for him. He is Lebanese and I am sure this is for his people. He is probably on Israel’s side. But when you carry that flag, you know it’s going to be asked about.”
“I’m Jewish, but come on, he’s from Lebanon and sees the land of his ancestors at war. I can and do support Israel,” said another.
Born in Dearborn, Michigan, Saleh is an American citizen, but his roots go back to Lebanon.
Others defended the head coach and highlighted his Lebanese-American background
His parents, Sam and Fatin, emigrated from the Middle East to the United States before his birth.
When he was hired as the Jets’ head coach in 2021, Saleh became the first Muslim head coach in NFL history.
Airstrikes on Saturday evening lit up Beirut’s skyline and loud explosions echoed through the southern suburbs, known as the Dahiyeh, as Israel attacked Hezbollah militant sites in Lebanon.
After the overnight airstrikes on Saturday, the Israeli army confirmed it had hit targets near Beirut and said around 30 projectiles had crossed into Israeli territory from Lebanon, some of which had been intercepted.
Born in Dearborn, Michigan, Saleh is an American citizen, but his roots go back to Lebanon
At least 1,400 Lebanese, including civilians, medics and Hezbollah fighters, have been killed and 1.2 million driven from their homes in less than two weeks. Israel says it wants to drive the militant group from its border so that tens of thousands of Israeli citizens can return to their homes.
The Iran-backed Hezbollah, the strongest force in Lebanon, began firing rockets into Israel almost immediately after Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack, calling it a show of support for the Palestinians. Hezbollah and the Israeli army have exchanged fire almost daily.
Last week, Israel launched what it said was a limited ground operation in southern Lebanon after a series of attacks killed former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and most of his top commanders. The fighting is the worst since Israel and Hezbollah fought a month-long war in 2006. Nine Israeli soldiers have been killed in ground fighting, which Israel says has left 440 Hezbollah fighters dead.
It is not possible to verify battlefield reports from both sides.
