Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Santander has apologized more than two weeks after facing backlash over anti-Islam posts shared following Abdul El-Sayed’s U.S. Senate victory in Michigan.
Santander, 32, addressed the controversy in an Instagram Story on Friday night. After the midterm elections, he had reshared posts claiming, “America voted for Sharia last night” and “Islam is not peaceful.”
The 2024 All-Star said criticism from within and outside the Blue Jays organization made him recognize that he should have exercised greater care before sharing the material.
“I realize that this content caused hurt and I sincerely apologize. I should have been more thoughtful about what I shared, recognizing the responsibility that comes with having a public voice,” Santander wrote. “As a man of faith, it is my belief that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their religion, background, or beliefs.
“After hearing feedback from those I hurt, I realize that the content I shared fell short of my own convictions. I would like to affirm my respect for the Muslim community and for the dignity and freedom of people of every faith and background.”
Santander’s original posts came after Democrat El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers, becoming the first Muslim-American elected to the Senate.
The Blue Jays promptly distanced themselves from Santander’s comments, emphasizing that “baseball is for everyone” and that the sport is inclusive. Toronto general manager Ross Atkins also reprimanded the slugger while speaking with reporters at the GM Meetings in Las Vegas this week.
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“There really aren’t words to express my level of disappointment with him making those comments. I’ve expressed that to him,” Atkins said, according to Sportsnet.
According to Canadian government statistics from 2021, Muslims account for nearly 10 percent of Toronto’s population.
On Thursday, Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro said the organization had met with leaders from Toronto’s Muslim community and condemned “all forms of hate.”
“We met with leaders in Toronto’s Muslim communities today, who shared the harm caused by Anthony Santander’s Islamophobic social media posts,” Shapiro said in a statement posted to the team’s X account. “The opportunity to listen and learn was important and reaffirms our beliefs and values as an organization. We condemn Islamophobia and all forms of hate.”
Santander is in the third season of a five-year, $92.5 million contract. He has appeared in only 54 games for Toronto and missed all of 2026 because of an injury.
“From this experience, I have learned to ensure that none of my communications promote hate or give the impression that I support hatred, discrimination, or violence against anyone,” his statement concluded.
