The New York Jets have not been able to get out of their own way for more than half a century. Another page in the book of futility was added Wednesday with news team owner Woody Johnson was investigated after allegations he made racist and sexist comments to staff, CNN reported.
NEW: Woody Johnson, billionaire NFL owner & US ambassador to UK, was investigated by State OIG after allegations he made racist & sexist comments to staff & sought to use his gov't post to benefit Trump's personal biz in UK
(w. @kylieatwood & @NicoleCNN) https://t.co/1JfZ9S9N3F— Jennifer Hansler (@jmhansler) July 22, 2020
Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson, the top envoy since August 2017 to one of the United States’ most important allies, made racist generalizations about Black men and questioned why the Black community celebrates Black History Month, according to exclusive new information shared with CNN by three sources and a diplomat familiar with the complaints to the State Department inspector general.
His comments about women’s looks have been “cringeworthy,” a source with knowledge of the situation said, and two sources said it was a struggle to get him on board for an event for International Women’s Day.
“He’s said some pretty sexist, racist,” things, the diplomat with knowledge of the complaints made to the IG said of Johnson, an heir to the Johnson & Johnson fortune and one of the owners of the New York Jets.
Johnson’s deputy, Lewis A. Lukens, advised against bringing the request to the British government because of a potential ethical violation that would come with the President using his position for private gain, according to the Times. But Johnson, a Trump donor who received the ambassadorship in 2017 after the President’s election, felt pressure to proceed and broached the subject three weeks later with Scotland’s Secretary of State, David Mundell.
One of the star players on the Jets, DB Jamal Adams, who has been looking to move on from the team via trade, weighed in with his disapproval.
We need the RIGHT people at the top. Wrong is wrong! https://t.co/iMpPfHzRV9
— Jamal Adams (@Prez) July 22, 2020