Toronto Blue Jays star Anthony Santander finally apologized on Friday for sharing anti-Muslim social media posts, admitting the content caused hurt and insisting ‘every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.’
In a lengthy statement on Instagram, Santander said reflection and conversations with people he trusts made him recognize he should have been more thoughtful about what he shared and the responsibility that comes with having a public voice.
He expressed respect for the Muslim community and pledged to avoid sharing content that promotes hate.
‘After taking time to reflect on my recent social media posts and speaking with people I trust and respect, I recognize that I should have been more thoughtful about what I shared on my platform,’ Santander posted.
‘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.’
‘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,’ the post continued.
Blue Jays star Anthony Santander shared vulgar Islamophobic posts following the midterms
In his apology Friday, the Venezuelan pledged to avoid sharing content that promotes hate
The posts came after Abdul El-Sayed’s victory in Michigan in the midterm elections last week
‘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.
‘From this experience, I have learned to ensure that none of my communications promote any hate or give the impression that I support hatred, discrimination, or violence against anyone.’
Santander shared the posts on November 4 and deleted them the next morning.
The Toronto slugger came under fire for his attacks on Islam and Abdul El-Sayed following the senator-elect’s victory in Michigan in the midterm elections.
The 32-year-old former All-Star from Venezuela shared two memes on Instagram on November 4 and deleted them the next morning.
One pictured El-Sayed alongside text reading ‘AMERICA VOTED FOR SHARIA LAST NIGHT,’ while another carried the caption: ‘ISLAM IS NOT PEACEFUL.’
El-Sayed, a 42-year-old Sunni resident of the Detroit suburbs, has repeatedly pushed back against suggestions he would introduce Sharia law, the religious framework that guides the Islamic world.
‘Nobody is trying to push Sharia law on anyone else, just like I hope nobody is trying to push [Catholic] canon law on anybody else, because we live in an America where you should have the freedom of your religion,’ he told Fox News before the midterms.
Santander, who signed a $92.5 million dea, last year, shared these two memes on Instagram
Santander’s apology came a day after Blue Jays president and chief executive officer Mark Shapiro apologized to the Muslim community and fans following a meeting with community leaders, and after general manager Ross Atkins asked Santander to publicly address the controversy.
Atkins said: ‘There really aren’t words to express my level of disappointment with him making those comments.
‘I’ve expressed that to him,’ Atkins continued, per Sportsnet.
‘Anything exacerbating some level of anti-Islamic hate is just extremely concerning, extremely disappointing… I also talked to Anthony about his lack of awareness.’
The 32-year-old Venezuelan signed a $92.5 million, five-year contract with Toronto in January 2025 but missed the entire 2026 season because of injuries. It remains unclear whether the team will discipline him over the posts.
