Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner responded to criticism over controversial remarks that he made about Jewish people during a livestream over the weekend.
The incident happened while Gardner was appearing with popular streamer Adin Ross — who is Jewish — and as part of a conversation about Ross’ ability to get a Tesla Cybertruck from another Jewish man, Gardner said “ya’ll run the world.”
After receiving backlash online, Gardner tried to clarify the remarks with two separate but similar comments on X, which included him claiming what he had said “was meant to be a good thing.”
“I love all people; Including Jewish people,” Gardner first wrote on Tuesday. “The majority of my agency/marketing team are Jewish and I talk to them almost every day. You probably just took what I said the wrong way but what I said was meant to be a good thing.”
Gardner continued to clarify in a second post on X early Tuesday evening.
“I love all people. While my intentions were positive, I just learned that people use those exact words I shared for hate towards Jewish people,” he wrote. “That is not what I am about and I appreciate those who took the time to educate me on that fact.”
During the original video, which remains up on YouTube, Gardner appeared to show hesitation at first before he made the comments — also adding that, “They got so much motion throughout the whole world.”
Ross said he was not offended by the comments and laughed after Gardner had said it.
WARNING: Video below contains offensive language
The streaming personality also defended Gardner on X in a reply to the Jets star’s post.
“Bro I’m Jewish. You did and said nothing wrong you said Jews run the world in a good way which is true, I said you were fine so ima defend you. Don’t give in, f–k these fake woke ppl,” Ross wrote.
Gardner is going into his third season with the Jets and was named an All-Pro and Pro Bowler during his first two seasons with the team. He is also a former Defensive Rookie of the Year.