Jets Fire Head Coach Robert Saleh After Wearing Lebanese Flag Patch

There is speculation that Saleh’s wearing of a Lebanese flag patch on his arm during Sunday’s game in London played a role in his dismissal. But Saleh, a Lebanese American, has worn the patch before during the NFL’s Heritage program, which sees players and coaching staff celebrate their origins by wearing international flag decals or patches.

There is no indication that Saleh’s wearing of the Lebanese flag patch over the past two years has created a backlash within the Jets organization. But it has triggered outrage from hardline supporters of Israel and low-quality tabloid publications like the Daily Mail.

Born and raised in Dearborn, Michigan, Saleh is the NFL’s first Muslim head coach and the third Lebanese American head coach, after Abe Gibron and Rich Kotite. Jets owner Woody Johnson — a supporter of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump — hired Saleh in 2021.