Jets defensive tackle and captain Steve McLendon anticipates that owner Woody Johnson will be held accountable for allegedly making racist and sexist remarks.
Johnson, who has served as United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom since 2017, recently came under fire following allegations he made racist and sexist comments to his staff. He was also accused of using his government position to benefit President Donald Trump’s personal business in the UK, according to reports from The New York Times and CNN.
As reported by CNN, Johnson allegedly asked why African Americans would want a Black History Month, resited an event in which he asked if the crowd would be comprised of “a whole bunch of black people,” and referred to Black fathers leaving their families as the “real challenge.” He also allegedly objectified, excluded and belittled women and women’s related events on multiple occasions.
On Friday, McLendon became the first Jets player to formally address the allegations. He was unwilling to pass personal judgment upon Johnson, but he acknowledged that the owner will inevitably be held accountable.
“I’m not going to speak on him or any of the comments that he said or made, and I don’t pass judgment on anybody,” McClendon said, per the New York Post. “At the end of the day, he will be held accountable for his actions. I’m not even going to speak on that. Whatever he said, he said. It’s out there. I have a great deal of respect for Christopher (Johnson). I’m going to let them handle that in any sort of fashion they want to handle that.”
It remains to be seen if the 73-year-old Johnson will face some sort of punishment from the NFL once he returns from the United Kingdom. The allegations surrounding Johnson surfaced in the midst of the league handling instances of racial and social injustice and sexual harassment against women. Since George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police officer Derrick Chauvin, the league has announced donations meant to combat systemic racism. The Washington football team has also come under fire for allegations of sexual harassment from 15 women.
Johnson has denied the allegations, and his brother, Christopher — the Jets’ acting owner — has denied them to GM Joe Douglas and head coach Adam Gase. Christopher also addressed the allegations with Jets players via phone calls.