There were plenty of reasons why Robert Saleh was fired as coach of the New York Jets on Tuesday.
A disappointing win-loss record, poor player management, questionable tactical decisions and some sideline interactions with his superstar quarterback that can only be described as confrontational — just to name a few.
One sports radio personality in New York chimed in with another reason why Saleh was dismissed: The coach’s choice to wear a patch depicting the flag of Lebanon during Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London.
“I gotta say something else and I hate to get political, but I have to in this case,” Joe Benigno, a longtime host at New York City sports radio station WFAN, said during an appearance on The Jake Asman Show.
“Saleh had the flag of Lebanon on his shirt the other day in London. Now we all know what’s going on in the Middle East. There is no sugarcoating of what’s going on in the Middle East. We all know about Hezbollah firing all these rockets out of Lebanon, and all what’s going on there, into Israel.
“We know he is Muslim. I think he is representing the people of Lebanon because I don’t believe the people of Lebanon really are happy with Hezbollah. I don’t think that’s the case at all. And I wonder if that has played into this in a way as well because I did see this on the regular news that this was actually brought up.”
Saleh, who is a Muslim of Lebanese descent, faced a wave of scrutiny when he wore a Lebanese flag patch on his team sweatshirt on Sunday.
The patch was in participation with the NFL Heritage Program, which encourages players and coaches to honour their cultural origins by wearing international flag patches on clothing and decals on their helmets.
Saleh, whose parents emigrated from the Middle East to the United States before he was born, has worn the flag patch before including at least twice during the 2023 season, according to TMZ.
However, wearing it on Sunday — on the eve of the first anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel — drew increased attention as Israel has been ramping up its campaign against Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Jets star quarterback Aaron Rodgers insisted he played no role in the firing of his team’s coach, calling such allegations “patently false.”
There was speculation that the outspoken Rodgers might have had a hand in influencing team owner Woody Johnson, who said during a conference call the decision was “my decision and my decision alone.”
“As far as any of the ridiculous allegations out there, I’m not going to spend more than one sentence in response to it,” Rodgers said during his weekly appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. “And that is I resent any of those accusations because they’re patently false. And it’s interesting the amount of power that people think that I have, which I don’t.”
The four-time MVP confirmed he spoke to Johnson on Monday night during a “nice call,” but said the owner simply asked him how he was feeling. Both parties said there was no talk of Saleh’s future.
“Woody has no obligation to let me know what his plans are,” Rodgers said. “I just appreciated the call that he was checking on me.”
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In a statement made on Wednesday, Saleh didn’t comment on any rift with Rodgers or the controversy over the Lebanon patch, simply thanking the organization and wishing the players and staff well.
“To the Jets Organization, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with so many incredible people. I will always be appreciative of the love and support from everyone at 1 Jets Drive,” he wrote.
“To all of the players, I truly love and appreciate every single one of you. The character of the men in the locker room made coaching you guys the ultimate privilege. Through all the ups and downs, each and every one of you showed up everyday and attacked every moment.”