We should heed Tom‘s words here, because he should be seen as something of a triple threat related to this topic – he’s a republican; he works in public relations for a leading area firm; and most significantly, he’s a big New York Giants fan (one of the few Giants games I’ve ever attended was as Tom’s guest).  Let’s be clear. No one is saying that Jaxson Dart can’t be a Republican or for that matter of being a Trump supporter even in blue New York. But there are smarter and more discrete ways of showing that support.  Dart did not employ those.  For example, if he had been invited to the White House, I’d tell him go right ahead. It’s an honor to be invited, regardless of who is the president.. Similarly,  if President Trump invited Dart for a round of golf at one of his golf clubs, sure, go right ahead. But someone close to Dart should have told him that, not just attending a political rally featuring the president but actually introducing the president is a major mistake in the starting QB’s early career.  Tom mentions former Bills’ owner Ralph Wilson sending a note to Doug Flutie that he didn’t appreciate Flutie‘s campaigning for Hillary Clinton. Keep in mind, Flutie   was well into his football career at that point as a veteran, but the optics were bad. Dart must realize that once you become the quarterback for an NFL franchise, wherever you are, whatever the occasion is, you are representing that team. If you are in a public setting and are introducing somebody else or if you are the guest of honor, it’s not just about you. It’s about the organization that you represent.  You are the public face of that organization. As an example, Dart might take a look at the team currently in Madison Square Garden and its leader. Jalen Brunson is always acutely aware when he opens his mouth that he is representing the New York Knicks and he is representing New York and speaking to their fans.  Brunson is also a good interview. He doesn’t intentionally go out and make news, but still says something that shows, with humility, some of his personality (and he demonstrates that a little bit more on the podcast that he does with Josh Hart, “roommates”).  Brunson is acutely aware that being the captain carries a certain sense of responsibility. If one of Dart’s advisors told him it was a good idea to appear at this rally, that advisor should be fired. If Dart heard that advice and just shrugged it off, that is a judgment error that perhaps should trouble the Giants front office, his coach and team owners. Is there a double standard of sorts here? Sure.  LeBron James regularly comments on political and social things and is divisive in way turning off half the country. On the other side, Aaron Rodgers makes various public announcements that turn off the other half. But both Hall of Fame-bound athletes have paid their dues. They’ve won NBA championships and a Super Bowl respectively. Both have won multiple MVPs. They are not second-year players who still have to prove themselves to their teammates, new coach and their fanbase. Like it or not, this Dart, ironically, has put a target on his back.  Once again, this is not an issue of whether athletes are allowed to have political views. Of course they are, but in these incredibly polarized times,  judgment must be used.  Dart didn’t display that judgment (by the way, a criticism that was previously directed at him in relation to his somewhat reckless running that led to him entering the NFL concussion protocol on more than one occasion).

2018 NBA draft is the most important draft in New York History Mikal Bridges 10th Landry Shamet 26th Jalen Brunson 33rd Mitchell Robinson 36th All Knicks legends and champions. Donte DiVincenzo 17th used to acquire KAT. #AlwaysKnicks

The odds on the Knicks coming back to win in *all four* of these scenarios are 237,867 to 1.

Great example for all of us! Especially our kids!

The difference between a champion and a loser Jalen Brunson, before celebrating, goes to shake the Spurs head coaches hand Victor Wembanyama doesn’t shake the hands of the Knicks & bolts to the locker room immediately

As a 24 year old Knicks beat reporter, I can fully acknowledge that I just very undeservingly waltzed into an all-time crazy year Just hoping I put enough on film to land a full-time gig this summer. Time to update that reel 🎥

Jalen Brunson scored 29 points in the second half of Game 5 last night That’s the MOST POINTS scored in the second half of any NBA Finals game played in the NBA’s modern era. Brunson did it in a Finals-clinching win on the road to break a 53-year title drought for the Knicks

Wemby exposed himself as being a dirtier player than Vontaez Burfict, the refs exposed themselves as completely crooked, and Jalen Brunson exposed himself as being the best, most clutch player of all time. The New York Knicks are the NBA finals champions. New York or Nowhere.

I demand an entire show dedicated to "COLIN RIGHT, COLIN WRONG" (ALL KNICKS!!)!!! @TheHerd @colincowherd @getnickwright

Only saw Luke Kornet stay behind & shake the Knicks hands. Meanwhile our captain walks all the way over to mid court to shake the opposing coach’s hand before celebrating. They never respected us, their Finals was against OKC. That’s what makes this one even sweeter

It’s with a heavy heart that I announce that right before the Knicks won an NBA title, Paul Pierce passed away at 11:28pm EST last night

😭😭😭

KAT finding Mitch at the end has me crying again omg

Alan Hahn: "What's also soft is him walking off the court and not shaking hands with the guy that just took a ring from him, that taught him how to win. And one day when Wemby wins a championship he should remember and acknowledge what Jalen Brunson taught him in this series"

"Before a Knick came on our show, it was 50 years before they won a title, I'm just saying...you're welcome" 🤣 @SteveGelbs talks with Jon Hamm during the fourth inning about OG Anunoby guest starring on his show Your Friends & Neighbors and more:

Folks STILL talking to me about my (laughably incorrect) opinion when the Knicks signed Brunson. My penance has long been paid! This is from 3 seasons ago! I think I was the first national media member to declare him a Superstar! I argued for his inclusion in #ClubSuperstar!

🏀 Did anyone come out of the NBA Finals looking worse than Victor Wembanyama? --22 years old but acted 15 --Disrespected the Knicks all series, beginning with acting like the Western Conference Finals were the real NBA Finals --Repeatedly tried to injure Knicks players. Other players around the league see that --Called Mitchell Robinson "boy" --Tried to pull a Mark Messier/Joe Namath and guarantee a win when down 3-1. Clown show --Leaves the court pouting after Game 5 without shaking hands --In sum, he was a petulant child who didn't get his way

He'll never be an actual face of the NBA because he's deeply unlikeable. Kobe, LeBron, Jordan, and others could be tough personalities, bitter at times, but Wemby has, absolutely, the worst sportsmanship of any major player I've seen. Dirty and nasty player.

If you’re a dad (or “Daddy”), the month also works for you!

CHAMPIONSHIP KNICKS RECAP 6.13.26 You deserve this. Ft @_the6thman @_tgifly @djacoby @instamiles Filmed by @1stbestMA_ Produced/directed by @JakePinto 🤘🏆🏀🤘

I think this is one of the toughest buckets ever in NBA Finals history. When this went down—game was over.