New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart introduced President Trump at a Rockland Community College rally on May 22, and the second-year passer spent the next week as the center of a sports-and-politics storm.

On May 29, Dart stood in front of reporters and explained himself. He said he respected the office of the presidency, he loves his teammates, and the team talked through the disagreement instead of letting it fester. President Trump publicly backed the young quarterback, and head coach John Harbaugh said the locker room came out of it stronger.

Dart did not duck the moment or hide behind a publicist’s statement. He took the questions directly.

During his interview on May 29, Dart stated:
“Appreciate you all being here. I understand that there’s probably going to be questions that involve off-the-field topics, and for that, I have a statement, and I hope I can answer as many of those questions that you all may have.”

“I ask that we can talk about football after that, and I hope that we can understand and respect that from each other.”

“Obviously, this was a unique opportunity, being asked and given the opportunity to introduce the President of the United States. My thinking was pretty simple in the fact of I’ve always loved this country. I have extended family members who have fought in wars. I have two uncles who have retired from the Air Force Academy and served themselves. I even have a great grandfather who served as the Secretary of the Treasury at some point.”

“The President position has always been a position that I’ve respected, regardless of political affiliation, regardless of political party. My intentions were just that.”

Dart also clarified the introduction was not a fight with anyone wearing the same uniform. He added: “I also understand in this world, politics can be a sensitive matter, a sensitive topic. I also understand that I am the quarterback of the New York Giants, and that involves a lot of responsibility. I’m under a microscope, and there’s a lot that comes with it, and it’s something that I’ve embraced.”

“I’ve loved being here. I love the city of New York. I love the (state) of New Jersey, the people that I’ve met here. It’s just been a really amazing experience, and there’s not another place that I’d rather be.”

“Most importantly, the people in this organization, my teammates, the staff, coaches, everybody that has a hand, José (Garcia), you name it, I’ve loved making relationships with them and growing connections. That’s the kind of person that I am.”

“I’m a connector. I love making relationships with people. I love hearing everybody’s stories and being somebody who people can rely on to be there for them.”

“Most importantly, I can honestly say that I love every single one of my brothers, my teammates on this team, regardless of politics, regardless of religious beliefs, regardless of anything that may be different between us. I love them, and they know exactly what kind of person that I am who comes into the facility every day and who lays — I’ll lay my body on the line for my guys each and every week.”

Outside linebacker Abdul Carter had criticized Dart’s decision and addressed it publicly for the first time Friday. Carter still objected to the choice but clarified he was not asking his quarterback to apologize for standing on his own beliefs.

Carter stated: “Yeah, I’m just going to address this one time because we all want to move past this and get over this, like everybody do.”

“First off, I’m going to say that some things are bigger than football, and this is one of those things. Jaxson is one of our leaders. He’s the face of our franchise. He not only represents himself and what he does, but he represents all of us, and that goes for anybody who wears a Giants uniform.”

“But if he chooses to align himself with a man like President Trump, it’s my responsibility based on what I believe and what I stand on to not only show my teammates that I’m against that, but to show the world.”

“That doesn’t mean that we have to spread hate. It doesn’t mean that me and Jaxson hate each other or we have beef.”

“I sit next to Jaxson every day, every team meeting. We’re close. We talk. As long as we make sure we’ve got the same goal as a team and our goals align, which they do, I feel like that’s all that matters.”

“I just want to move past this, and yeah, that’s it. I’ll take any questions about anything else, but in terms of this, I just want to move past this.”

President Trump later weighed in on the backlash, stating Dart is loved more when he gets harassed, praised his potential as a quarterback, and described him as a handsome, conservative guy.