Jets owner Woody Johnson reportedly accused of racist, sexist comments; NFL is ‘aware’

“We are aware of the report and would refer you to the State Department,” the NFL said in a written statement.

Johnson denied the allegations in the CNN report by writing Wednesday on Twitter: “I have followed the ethical rules and requirements of my office at all times. These false claims of insensitive remarks about race and gender are totally inconsistent with my longstanding record and values.”

The Jets released a statement later Wednesday that included Johnson’s statement and added, in part, “One of our fundamental principles is treating employees, players, coaches and fans with respect and dignity, regardless of their race, color, religion or gender.”

Johnson, 73, was confirmed as ambassador in 2017 and turned over daily operations of the Jets to his brother Christopher. His great-grandfather was the co-founder of the pharmaceutical and medical giant Johnson & Johnson.

CNN reported that Johnson “made racist generalizations about Black men and questioned why the Black community celebrates Black History Month.” He also made what the network described as “cringeworthy” remarks about women’s looks.

According to the CNN report, Johnson did not deny the specific allegations but praised his U.K. diplomatic team and said, “I greatly value the extraordinary work that each and every member of the team does to strengthen and deepen our vital alliance.” The White House declined to comment to CNN and referred the network to the State Department.

The New York Times reported that Johnson told multiple colleagues in February 2018 that Trump had asked him to see if the British government could assist in having the British Open golf tournament played at Trump’s Turnberry resort in Scotland. Johnson’s deputy advised against fulfilling Trump’s request, the Times reported, but Johnson “felt pressured to try” and reportedly raised the idea to David Mundell, Scotland’s secretary of state.

The British government said in a statement that Johnson “made no request of Mr. Mundell regarding the British Open or any other sporting event,” the Times reported.

The NFL’s personal conduct policy applies to owners and would enable the league to discipline an owner with a fine or suspension if it believes that is warranted.

Jets safety Jamal Adams, in reaction to the CNN report, wrote on Twitter: “We need the RIGHT people at the top. Wrong is wrong!” Adams added: “Right is right. Wrong is wrong! If [you] don’t think this is wrong you’re part of the problem not the solution.”

The allegations against Johnson come on the heels of last week’s report by The Washington Post in which 15 female former employees of Washington’s NFL team accused former club officials of sexual harassment and verbal abuse. No women accused Snyder or former team president Bruce Allen of inappropriate behavior, but some expressed skepticism that Snyder and Allen were unaware of the behavior and said that an environment of verbal abuse by top executives — as well as an understaffed human resources department — contributed to the workplace environment.

Snyder said Friday that the alleged behavior by former team officials “has no place in our franchise or society.”

Multiple people familiar with the league’s inner workings said last week that the NFL will seriously consider fining the team, pending the results of an investigation initiated by the franchise. But the league and fellow owners are not expected to take formal steps, those people said, to attempt to compel Snyder to sell the team, barring further developments implicating Snyder directly.

League bylaws give the NFL and owners the right to attempt to force the sale of a team if an owner is deemed to have engaged in conduct detrimental to the welfare of the league.

The NFL fined former Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson $2.75 million in 2018 after investigating accusations of workplace misconduct against him, including sexually suggestive remarks toward women and directing a racial slur at an African American team employee. The league took over the investigation of the allegations against Richardson from the team, and Richardson chose to sell the franchise to David Tepper.

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