Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Santander has broken his silence for more than two weeks after coming under fire for his anti-Islam messages following Abdul El-Sayed’s U.S. Senate victory in Michigan.
Santander, 32, took to his Instagram Story Friday night to apologize for his actions, including sharing posts on his account after the midterm elections that said “America voted for Sharia law last night” and “Islam is not peaceful.”
The 2024 All-Star said he realizes now — after facing heat from inside and outside the Blue Jays organization — that he should have been more thoughtful.
“I realize that this content caused harm and I sincerely apologize. I should have been more mindful of what I shared, recognizing the responsibility that comes with having a public voice,” Santander wrote in a statement. “As a man of faith, I believe that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their religion, background or beliefs.
“After hearing the comments of those I hurt, I realize that the content I shared did not align with my own beliefs. I would like to affirm my respect for the Muslim community and for the dignity and freedom of people of all faiths and backgrounds.”
Santander’s initial rhetoric came after Democrat El-Sayed defeated Republican challenger Mike Rogers to become the first American Muslim elected to the Senate.
The Blue Jays quickly distanced themselves after Santander’s initial messages, saying “baseball is for everyone” and that it is “inclusive.” Toronto general manager Ross Atkins spoke to reporters at the general managers’ meetings in Las Vegas this week and chastised the slugger.
“There really are no words to express my level of disappointment with his comments. I expressed that to him,” Atkins said, according to Sportsnet.
According to 2021 Canadian government statistics, almost 10% of Toronto’s population is Muslim.
On Thursday, Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro said the team had met with leaders of the Muslim community and denounced “all forms of hatred.”
“We met today with leaders of Toronto’s Muslim communities, 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 hatred.”
Santander is entering the third year of a five-year, $92.5 million contract. He only played 54 games in Toronto and missed all of 2026 due to injury.
“From this experience, I have learned to ensure that none of my communications promote hatred or give the impression that I support hatred, discrimination or violence against anyone,” he concludes.
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