An NFL player cancelled his annual charity event at one of former President Donald Trump’s golf courses due to “external pressures” on its participants over the location.
Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer hosts an annual celebrity golf tournament for charity, but this year’s decision to hold it at the Trump National Doral Miami’s Blue Monster course was met with intense backlash.
Poyer’s foundation was set up last year to support mental health and substance abuse struggles.
The foundation released an official statement before Poyer posted a lengthy video on Instagram in which he decried the situation and the state of the country.
“This years’ (sic) event was being held at one of Jordan’s favorite courses in south Florida. The Blue Monster at Trump National in Doral, Florida. This is a PGA course where Tiger Woods won The Doral Open 2 years in a row back in 2005 & 2006,” the official statement reads.
“Unfortunately, we were sadly surprised by negative comments by some individuals trying to make this a political battle and continue to divide our community.”
At root of the cancelation is reportedly the Erie County Medical Center, the event’s largest partner, which pulled out last-minute.
Poyer’s Personal Response
On Instagram, he thanked the people he worked with on the event before delving into the reason for its cancelation.
“I’m not naïve. I understand where they are on the political spectrum, where New York is on the political spectrum. Do I agree with a lot of it? No, I don’t. I’m sorry, but I don’t.”
“I say the quiet part out loud a lot and some of you don’t like that. My bad. I still went and put my ego aside and went to go help those who needed help or needed a laugh.”
“I’m upset about this is where we are in America… It seems like our egos get in the way of being a good human being,” he goes on in the video.
“I can put my ego away any day of the week to go to help somebody who might be white, Black, Asian, Puerto Rican, Dominican, believe in this, believe in that.. I honestly could because it’s about more than me. It’s helping others. It’s sharing those experiences and about being open about we’re not perfect.”
Some of Poyer’s teammates posted comments of support on his post.
Gabe Davis said, “Those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind… Be You.”
Long snapper Reid Ferguson was more direct. “‘Now you know who not to invite next year! Keep standing tall brother,” his comment said.
