(Ezekiel Loseke, Headline USA) Jordan Poyer, a strong safety who plays for the Buffalo Bills, canceled his charity golf game because a sponsor opposed the event being held at a golf course owned by President Donald Trump, The Blaze reported.
Poyer announced the cancellation in a video he posted to Instagram.
He also posted a caption along with the video:
“I regret to inform you that my annual Golf Event in South Florida to help raise money for the community, originally scheduled for July 10th at the Blue Monster at Trump National in Doral, has been rescheduled for next year,” he wrote.
“Unfortunately, the location of the event led to a few sponsors and golfers withdrawing at the last minute due to external pressures,” he continued, expressing disappointment and frustration. “Next offseason, we will host this event with unwavering dedication, ensuring that it remains free from any external distractions. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you.”
In the video, Poyer explained that he was forced to cancel the event because of the political orientation of one of the event’s sponsors, Erie County Medical Center Foundation, a Buffalo-area hospital.
Poyer expressed frustration with the situation.
“I’m not naïve. I understand where they are on the political spectrum, where New York is on the political spectrum,” he explained.
“Do I agree with a lot of it? No, I don’t. I’m sorry, but I don’t,” he continued. “I still went and put my ego aside and went to go help those who needed help or needed a laugh.”
But the woke medical center, on the other hand, put its politics ahead of charity, reportedly making the decision to drop out after facing a letter-writing pressure campaign from golf teams that were likewise boycotting the event.
“ECMC decided they can no longer take the pressure from up top, from the people above them, and it probably has nothing to do with ECMC at all,” Poyer said.
Poyer’s representative agency, Avalon Sports, echoed the sentiment in an official statement it posted to Twitter.
“We were sadly surprised by negative comments by some individuals trying to make this a political battle and divide our community,” the sports agency wrote, explaining that Poyer and the agency were only interested in raising money for people in Buffalo.
Official statement in regards to the Jordan Poyer Celebrity Open. pic.twitter.com/PArCYapYHT
— Avalon Sports (@GroupAvalon) June 24, 2023
Poyer’s wife, Rachel Bush, issued a fiery statement on twitter.
“Let’s be very clear. Jordan did not cancel his event,” she wrote, explaining that she and her husband proudly and publicly hold their beliefs. “The event was cancelled due to the arrogance of others, and then backing out last minute leaving us in a difficult spot to make everything happen properly,” she continued, explaining that the couple was on a family vacation when the sponsors pulled out.
The event was cancelled due to the arrogance of others, and then backing out last minute leaving us in a difficult spot to make everything happen properly. Especially while we are on a family vacation.. We want it to be great and next year it will be outstanding! Thank you! https://t.co/ymRYEJhNMn
— Rachel (@Rachel__Bush) June 26, 2023
“Tournament will be at same spot next year,” she added. “Trump’s course.”
The hospital disputed its status as a sponsor and claimed it was a beneficiary of the event, according to The Blaze.
