New York Jets rookie offensive lineman Oday Aboushi spoke out Friday against a magazine that recently called him a “Muslim Extremist,” according to the Associated Press.
Aboushi is a Palestinian-American—one of four to play in the history of the NFL.
"It is upsetting to see people try and tarnish my reputation without even knowing me," said the University of Virginia product in a statement through the Jets. "But I appreciate all the support I have been getting from people of all backgrounds across the city and country."
Aboushi said he is glad to be Palenstinian-American. He considers it an “honor” and said he wants to "kind of break that mold and sort of open the door for other people and show them that it is possible, it's a great feeling."
The Brooklyn native, who currently lives in Staten Island, also said he considers the opportunity to have grown up in the United States and play in the NFL a great privilege.
The FrontPageMag.com story about fifth-round draft pick, which was written on July 9, said his “latest infraction” occurred in June while he was in Virginia. The magazine said he “gave a speech at a radical Muslim conference sponsored by a group denying Israel's right to exist and associated with blatantly anti-Semitic and terrorist propaganda."
According to a statement from the Anti-Defamation League in defense of Aboushi, “…there’s a lot of exaggeration and hyperbole in all the talk about” the Jets rookie.
"Absolutely nothing in the public record suggests Aboushi is anything other than a young American athlete who takes pride in his Palestinian heritage," said ADL’s director, Abraham H. Foxman. "His participation in a conference organized by the El-Bireh Society, a Palestinian community organization that was until recently defunct, should not be used to tar him as an extremist."
Foxman also said being of Palestinian decent “does not mean you're an anti-Semite or an extremist. ... The record simply does not show that Aboushi has crossed that line."
A statement from the Jets said the team believes “in diversity, inclusion and tolerance of other.” The statement did not speak specifically to the topics which involved Aboushi. However, it said “we also encourage all of our employees to use good judgment when exercising their rights to freedom of expression and speech to be certain that they are constructive and respectful."
The other three Palestinian-American players include former quarterback Gibran Hamadan, former defensive lineman Nader Abdallah and former linebacker Tarek Saleh.
As for the violence between Israel and Palestine Aboushi said, “I hope that both sides make peace and live in prosperity.”
Jets training camp will take place in Cortland, N.Y. on July 15.
