Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Santander apologizes for sharing Islamophobic videos
Anthony Santander issued an apology after posting Islam-related videos on social media, and the Blue Jays organization said it will work with Muslim leaders to combat hate.
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Santander posted a series of videos on social media that portrayed Islam in a negative light in the hours after the U.S. midterm elections. The clips claimed that Sharia law would be introduced in the United States if Abdul El-Sayed won a Senate race in Michigan and described Muslim politicians as radicals. Santander later removed the posts.
"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 wrote in a Friday post. "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."
The Blue Jays issued a statement after team president and CEO Mark Shapiro met with Muslim community leaders, saying the organization is sorry for the pain caused by the posts and will collaborate with Muslim groups to fight hate and ensure the team reflects an inclusive community.
National Council of Canadian Muslims spokesperson Steven Zhou told the Canadian Press that the community hopes the incident leads to stronger relationships and education, adding that an apology was expected.
Santander, who signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract before the 2025 season, has spent most of his time in Toronto on the injured list, appearing in 54 games, and missed the entire 2026 season after shoulder surgery.