New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh sparked controversy during the team’s NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings in London on Sunday.
The 45-year-old was seen on the sidelines of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a Lebanese flag beneath the Nike logo on the sleeve of his team’s hoodie.
The night before Sunday’s game, the first of the NFL’s international games this season, Israeli bombing continued in Beirut, the Lebanese capital, amid the war between Israel and Hezbollah.
Hezbollah’s stronghold in southern Beirut was hit by more than 30 attacks overnight, which were heard throughout the city, and smoke was still seen rising from the site after dawn, Lebanon’s official National News Agency said.
Saleh, of Lebanese descent, already wore a similar patch last October, but his decision to wear the flag on Sunday drew attention as the anniversary of the start of the war in Gaza approaches.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh sparked controversy by wearing a Lebanese flag on his sleeve.
Smoke rises from a fire following an explosion following an Israeli attack in Beirut, Lebanon, early October 6.
Saleh’s attire after the attacks left NFL fans divided on social media, many furious while others defended his right to express pride in his heritage.
“Robert Saleh is certainly pissing off much of York’s Jewish community with the Lebanese flag on top,” shared one social media user on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“What’s wrong with that guy?” added another, while a third wrote: “I hope they leave Hezbollah Sally in London when the Jets return to New York.”
The Jets suffered humiliation at the hands of the Vikings during the first half of Sunday’s game, risking a crushing defeat until a last-gasp touchdown on the stroke of halftime.
And some social media users claimed that Saleh’s political stance would not contribute to his job security.
“The biggest problem is the Lebanese flag on Saleh’s sleeve,” said one fan, responding to another post criticizing the Jets’ performance.
“I’m not sure Robert Saleh carrying the Lebanese flag, which he obviously added on his own, is going to help him with his property while his team is embarrassed again,” added another.
“Yeah, it looks like destroying my football team with your horrendous training isn’t enough,” chimed in a third.
Saleh’s clothing choice left NFL fans divided on social media and many furious.
However, others defended Saleh, highlighting his Lebanese-American background.
One posted: ‘He’s Lebanese-American. Everyone else can be proud of their heritage, why should he?
“Robert Saleh wearing the Lebanese flag is cool,” read a post from another account. “I would expect him to speak or publish about what is happening to his people in Lebanon.”
A third echoed the argument and said: ‘Good for him. He is Lebanese and I am sure this is for his people. He is probably on Israel’s side. But by carrying that flag you know they are going to ask him about it.”
‘I’m Jewish, but come on, he’s from Lebanon and sees the country of his ancestors at war. “I can support Israel and understand this too,” said another.
Born in Dearborn, Michigan, Saleh is a U.S. citizen but his roots go back to Lebanon.
Others defended the head coach, highlighting his Lebanese-American heritage.
His parents, Sam and Fatin, emigrated from the Middle East to the United States before he was born.
Upon his hiring as head coach of the Jets in 2021, Saleh became the first Muslim head coach in NFL history.
Saturday night’s airstrikes lit up Beirut’s skyline and loud explosions echoed through the southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh, as Israel attacked what it said were Hezbollah militant sites in Lebanon.
Following overnight airstrikes on Saturday, Israel’s military confirmed it was attacking targets near Beirut and said some 30 projectiles had crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory, some of which were intercepted.
Born in Dearborn, Michigan, Saleh is a U.S. 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 intends to expel the militant group from its border so that tens of thousands of Israeli citizens can return to their homes.
Hezbollah, Lebanon’s most powerful armed force, backed by Iran, began firing rockets at Israel almost immediately after the Hamas attack on October 7, 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 strikes that killed former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and most of its 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 clashes that Israel says have killed 440 Hezbollah fighters.
It is not possible to verify battlefield reports from either side.