NFL coach Robert Saleh was seen wearing the Lebanese flag on his arm during the New York Jets game against the Minnesota Vikings on 6 October.
With the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the flag on his hoodie sleeve has sparked a lot of criticism and curiosity. In addition, the Jets fired Saleh on Tuesday (8 October), which was unexpected.
These incidents have led to speculation that the two events may be related.
Highlights
- Robert Saleh’s mother and father moved from Lebanon to the United States.
- The head coach proudly embraces his Lebanese heritage.
- Robert is the first Muslim head coach in NFL history and the fourth Arab-American head coach in history.
As reported by The Sporting News, though the firing came as a surprise, it wasn’t due to the sweatshirt featuring a Lebanese flag patch.
It was reportedly due to the team’s performance. Well, Saleh doesn’t wear the Lebanese flag every week, but he has worn it before.
The NFL coach did this during a game last October. Some people thought he was making a political statement.
Statement from Robert Saleh:
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 9, 2024
“To the Jets Organization, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with so many incredible people. I will always be appreciative of the love and support from everyone at 1 Jets Drive.
To all of the players, I truly love and appreciate… pic.twitter.com/I4n9zYhKFd
Fighting between Israel and Lebanon started weeks before Saleh wore the flag in 2023.
At that time, the NFL reportedly encouraged players and coaches to show their heritage. Players put flag stickers on their helmets, and coaches wore flag patches on their clothes.
However, the flag patch has undoubtedly stirred up controversy. In contrast to the ongoing speculations, the Lebanese flag on his arm during the last NFL game was a nod to his heritage.
Robert Saleh Is Of Lebanese Descent
Robert Saleh was born on 31 January 1979 in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. to Lebanese immigrants.
His parents, Sam Saleh and Fatin Saleh emigrated from the Middle East ( specifically Lebanon) to the U.S. The Saleh pair settled in Michigan and welcomed the NFL coach and his elder brother David.
Robert Saleh’s father, Sam, played college football for Eastern Michigan University. As a result, the Saleh brothers also developed a soft corner for football.
After his graduation, the head coach’s father received an offer to join the University’s coaching staff. However, he returned to Dearborn and joined his family business.
This decision led to financial stability. However, Sam reportedly regretted not choosing football as his career path.
Similarly, Robert Saleh’s elder brother, David Saleh, also played football until the college level. But he, too, left the sports world and joined the finance world.
After graduating in finance from Northern Michigan, Robert Saleh took a desk job. But seeing his family’s struggles, he decided to leave the corporate world and return to football as a coach.
This turned out to be a great decision for his career. But there’s more to the story!
Robert’s decision was also influenced by his brother David’s experience on 9/11. David was working on the 61st floor of the South Tower when the World Trade Center was attacked.
He managed to escape, but the event deeply affected the Saleh family. Robert’s father, Sam, said that almost losing his brother pushed Robert to do something significant for his family.
Additional Information
- Robert Saleh’s net worth is estimated to be $10 million as of 2024.
- The head coach signed a five-year year contract with the New York Jets in 2021. It was worth $25 million with a $5 million annual salary.
- Following his sudden release, the NFL team now owes $10 million.
