NFL Team Blasted For Warning About Rising Islamophobia On One Year Anniversary Of Hamas Attack

The Minnesota Vikings team has been blasted for warning about rising Islamophobia on the one year anniversary of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack against Israel that killed 1,200 people.

“Today as we remember the one year anniversary of the reprehensible attacks on Israel, we mourn the loss of all innocent lives from this ongoing conflict,” the post on Monday on X from the NFL team read.

“We stand against the rising antisemitism and Islamophobia and know we must steadfastly work towards combating hate in all forms,” it added. “We pray for the 101 hostages who have yet to be freed, and our deepest hope is for a future of peace and safety throughout the region.” 

The post has since gone viral with more than 1.6 million views and counting.

Statement from the Minnesota Vikings on the one-year anniversary of the reprehensible Hamas attacks on Israel. pic.twitter.com/v10Lcuxdk3

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 7, 2024

The team’s posts appeared not only on its X account but also on its Facebook and Instagram accounts. The reaction from many has been swift, with the majority calling the NFL team’s post out for being “tone deaf” with the Hurricane Helene death toll rising in the south and for appealing to Minnesota Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar’s base.

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“Why would you throw in the word Islamophobia in a statement on the worst antisemitic attack since the Holocaust? No really. Where does it fit?” one person wrote.

Another person added, “Y’all do realize we just suffered a major tragedy in the southeast that costed [sic] an innumerable amount of people their lives and livelihoods. Rescue workers in the MOUNTAINS of NC are literally pulling bodies out of TREES. This post is awfully tone-deaf to actual issues that are directly affecting your country and your audience.”

A third person wrote, “Can’t even have this one day. Gotta appeal to that Ilhan Omar base.”

Omar — who represents the state’s 5th district — has come under fire for her criticism of Israel, as previously reported. Earlier this summer, Omar slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he was invited to speak to Congress.

Of the roughly 251 hostages taken by the terrorist group on that day, officials say that 64 are still being held alive alongside the bodies of another 33 of whom are deceased. The other 154 hostages have been either rescued or released, or their bodies have been recovered, as previously reported.

Related: One Year Later: Families Demand Action As Hamas Holds Nearly 100 Hostages From October 7 Attack