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Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Santander is facing criticism after sharing and then deleting social media posts that were seen as Islamophobic. Following the U.S. election results in Michigan, Santander shared videos on his Instagram story that criticized Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed. One post claimed that America had "voted for Sharia," while another described Islam as violent, according to BlogTO.
The Blue Jays quickly distanced themselves from Santander's posts. In a statement, the team emphasized its commitment to diversity and inclusion, stating, "Baseball is for everyone, and the Blue Jays have created an inclusive experience where all fans feel welcome at our ballpark. Individual comments do not represent our organization's values and beliefs," as reported by Yahoo Sports.
The posts were shared shortly after El-Sayed's historic victory, making him the first Muslim American elected to the U.S. Senate. The election was closely watched, and El-Sayed's faith became a topic of political attacks during the campaign, Marca reports.
Santander has not publicly explained his reasons for sharing the videos, nor has he issued a statement addressing the backlash. The Blue Jays have not announced any disciplinary action against him.
Santander's tenure with the Blue Jays has been challenging. He signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract before the 2025 season but has been plagued by injuries, appearing in just 54 games in his first year and missing the entire 2026 season due to shoulder surgery.