Wrestler condemned for ‘unacceptable’ on-air comments about Islam
Conservatives praised the interview and shared the video on social media
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An NCAA champion wrestler is facing condemnation after he denigrated the Islamic faith following his third consecutive title win.
Aaron Brooks, a wrestler at Penn State, recently won his third consecutive national title in the NCAA's 184-pound division.
During an ESPN interview after his victory, Mr Brooks was asked how his Christian faith factored into his success.
The wrestler uplifted his own religion, but in the process denigrated others, including Islam specifically, according to Deadspin.
“It’s everything. Christ resurrections and everything. Not just his life, but his death and resurrection,” Mr Brooks said. “You can only get that through him, it will be spread only through him. No false prophets, no Muhammad nor anyone else. Only Jesus Christ himself.”
The NCAA then signal boosted the wrestler's comments by sharing the interview on its official Twitter page.
The tweet featuring the interview has since been deleted.
In the wake of the interview, Emgage, an organisation that "educates and mobilises Muslim American voters" released a statement condemning the wrestler's comments.
"These comments were, in short, unacceptable," Wa-el Alzayat, the organisation's CEO, said in a statement. "Such language not only denigrates the worldwide Muslim population, but also is harmful to the many Muslim students, faculty, and staffers at Penn State."
He went on to state that there "is no need to denigrate one religion in order to uplift another."
Conservative commenters leapt to the wrestler's defence, sharing and praising the interview on social media.
Steven Crowder shared the video along with the caption "some people got triggered by this."
Other commenters agreed with the condemnation and offered their own.
"FunFact: you can practice your faith without sounding like a bigot and dragging someone else's faith so disrespectfully," Twitter user Sarwat Malik wrote. "Absolutely uncalled for, BRAZEN."
Another user with the handle tex_davis, lamented the interview, saying "noooo not Aaron brooks speading Islamophobia on national television."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments