New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter is making it clear: he's not backing down from his public criticism of quarterback Jaxson Dart, even as tensions simmer in the locker room. In a pointed statement on Friday, Carter addressed the fallout from Dart's decision to introduce and praise President Donald Trump at a recent event, doubling down on his original stance.
'Some Things Are Bigger Than Football'
Speaking to reporters, Carter didn't mince words. “Some things are bigger than football, and this is one of those things,” he said. “Jaxson is one of our leaders. He’s the face of our franchise. He not only represents himself but all of us. When he aligns himself with someone like President Trump, I have a responsibility—based on what I believe—to show my teammates and the world that I stand against that.”
Carter emphasized that his criticism isn't personal. He insists he and Dart remain on good terms, even sitting next to each other in team meetings. “We don’t hate each other,” Carter explained. “We just need to make sure our goals as a team align, and they do. That’s all that matters.”
Standing on Beliefs
The linebacker made it clear he doesn't want an apology from Dart. “I don’t want him to say he’s sorry,” Carter said. “Stand on what you believe in. But it can’t be a problem when I stand on what I believe in. As long as we have that understanding, it’s all good.”
This comes after Dart addressed his teammates in a closed-door meeting following the backlash. The quarterback has remained defiant, echoing Carter's call for mutual respect.
Fan Reaction and Fallout
Carter's stance hasn't gone over well with everyone. Many fans believe he should be the one apologizing, not Dart. As expected, the linebacker is bracing for backlash from Trump supporters, but he says he's okay with that.
The rift has drawn attention from across the sports world, with NFL legends like Boomer Esiason and Jerome Bettis weighing in on the controversy. Esiason has been particularly vocal, leading to a heated exchange with Carter's supporters.
Moving Forward
For now, Carter insists the team remains united. “We have the same goal—winning games,” he said. “That’s what matters. Everything else, we can work through.”
Whether the Giants can move past this distraction remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Abdul Carter isn't backing down.
