Blue Jays Reject Santander's Anti-Muslim Social Media Posts

The Toronto Blue Jays have distanced themselves from anti-Muslim videos shared on social media by outfielder Anthony Santander following the U.S. midterm elections. The organization said the posts do not reflect its values and emphasized its commitment to providing an inclusive environment for fans.

The team released its statement after Santander published several videos on his social media account. He removed the videos on Thursday, according to ESPN's report published November 6, 2026.

One video featured a Christian preacher making an anti-Muslim statement, while another suggested that Sharia law would be imposed in the United States following Abdul El-Sayed's election to the Senate in Michigan.

The Blue Jays emphasized that their baseball community welcomes supporters regardless of their backgrounds or beliefs.

"Baseball is for everyone, and the Blue Jays have created an inclusive experience where all fans feel welcome at our ballpark," the team said in its statement. "Individual comments do not represent our organization's values and beliefs."

The controversy involved Abdul El-Sayed, the son of Egyptian immigrants who will become the first Muslim American U.S. senator. During his campaign, El-Sayed faced Islamophobic rhetoric from political opponents while openly highlighting his faith, heritage and support for the Palestinian cause.

El-Sayed also frequently responded to criticism from conservative opponents during the campaign, according to ESPN.

Santander, 32, is from Venezuela and joined Toronto after spending his first eight Major League Baseball seasons with the Baltimore Orioles. He signed a five-year contract worth $92.5 million with the Blue Jays.

However, the outfielder missed the entire season after undergoing shoulder surgery following his first year in Toronto, according to ESPN.