The outfielder shared the videos on Instagram on Nov. 4 and waited more than a week before addressing the fallout.
Anthony Santander has finally apologized for sharing two anti-Muslim videos to his Instagram account, posting a statement on Friday, Nov. 13, more than a week after the original posts went up on Nov. 4.
"After taking time to reflect on my recent social media posts and speaking with people I trust and respect, I recognize that I should have been more thoughtful about what I shared on my platform," the Blue Jays outfielder wrote. "I realize that this content caused hurt and I sincerely apologize."
Santander said that as "a man of faith," he believes every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of their religion, background or beliefs, and that hearing feedback from those he hurt pushed him to reconsider what he had shared.
The posts had put the Blue Jays organization in damage-control mode, with GM Ross Atkins telling reporters at this week's MLB GM meetings in Las Vegas that there "really aren't words to express my level of disappointment" with Santander's comments, adding that he had expressed that directly to the player. Santander himself had stayed silent on the matter until Friday's statement.