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A former NFL star weighed in on New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart’s introduction to President Donald Trump, which sparked some controversy after his teammate Abdul Carter publicly ridiculed his interlocutor’s move.
Dez Bryant, the All-Pro receiver who spent most of his nine-year career with the Dallas Cowboys, took to social media to say he doesn’t understand “the hate” Dart received for introducing Trump at a rally last week.
“I really don’t understand the hate that Jaxon has [sic] Dart earned for introducing President Trump. Good or bad… whether you support Trump or not… you are in a lose-lose situation,” Bryant wrote on X. “Politics and religion are difficult for sports. People have the right to believe what they want.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant runs with the ball during an NFL game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Oct. 19. (Albert Pena/Icon Sportswire)
“I don’t know… I just live by a code… as long as it doesn’t interfere with my s… do what you want because you have to take whatever you’re doing with God. I’m too much of a sinner to be judgmental and political.”
Dart, Carter, head coach John Harbaugh and backup quarterback Jameis Winston discussed the situation Friday, and Dart and Carter hugged as they traded places on the podium.
The Giants wanted to show that there was no animosity in the locker room, but both Dart and Carter remained firm in their stance.
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“Some things are more important than football, and this is one of those things,” Carter told reporters at the team’s practice facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey. “Jaxson is one of our leaders. He is the face of our franchise. He not only represents himself and what he does, he represents all of us, and that goes for anyone who wears a Giants uniform.
“But if you decide to align yourself with a man like President Trump, it’s my responsibility, based on what I believe or what I stand for, to not only show my teammates that I’m against that, but to show it to the world.”
Dart began his time with reporters by saying he prepared a statement and hoped to talk football in the future.
“This was a unique opportunity, you know, to be asked and given the opportunity to introduce the president of the United States,” Dart said. “My thinking was pretty simple in the fact that I have always loved this country. I have family members who have fought wars. I have two uncles who retired from the Air Force Academy and served themselves. And I even have a great-grandfather who served as Secretary of the Treasury at one point.
(Left) New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) practices before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on December 21, 2025. (Right) Abdul Carter (51) of the New York Giants looks from the field before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on October 9 of 2025. (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images; Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
“So the position of president has always been a position that I have greatly respected, regardless of political affiliation, regardless of political party, and, you know, my intentions were precisely that.”
Carter added that while he thinks he needed to talk, “that doesn’t mean that Jaxson and I hate each other or that we have problems.” He pointed out how they sit next to each other every day during team meetings, where they talk the entire time.
“I don’t want him to say he’s sorry. Stay strong in what you believe in,” Carter said.
Dart added: “We just talk. You know, Abdul and I came here at the same time. We share a lot of very similar experiences. We’ve experienced adversity for a season and we had to support each other and that’s exactly what we continue to do today… He and I are one of the closest guys on the team between us. So, you know, we’ve had a lot of conversations. And he’s my brother, I know I’m a brother to him and at the same time, at the end of the day, we want to be the best people and players for each other. another.”
Winston, who serves as the wise voice of veterans in the locker room as well as a solid backup option at quarterback, said he was “proud” of both Dart and Carter for speaking to each other and to reporters.
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart greets President Donald Trump during a Fighting For American Workers event in Suffern, New York, on May 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)
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“I’m proud of our team for understanding that we don’t have to choose sides in this,” he said.
Harbaugh echoed Winston’s prideful mentality, believing his new team will be better because of the situation.
“We’re in a good place now and we’re moving forward,” he said.
