by Fitzgerald Cecilio
New York, NY
New York Jets rookie offensive lineman Oday Aboushi labeled as "lies and smears" accusations that he's a fundamentalist Muslim who associates himself with radicals opposed to Israel.
"My family's been just as shocked by the lies and smears as I've been," Aboushi said in a telephone interview with the New York Post.
"I don't think I'm radical at all. I have never done any radical behavior. For the writer to come out and claim that just builds lies on top of the lies," he added.
A fifth round pick by the Jets, Aboushi is believed to be the first Palestinian-American drafted by an NFL team.
Aboushi made the statement after a conservative Jewish web site - Frontpagemag.com -- reported that he is anti-Semitic and uses social media to endorse what they consider Palestinian terrorist groups.
Since then, Aboushi has been besieged by angry tweets and messages.
The report also called for the Jets -- whose fanbase includes a large Jewish contingent -- to immediately release Aboushi because of his views.

However, Aboushi told The Post his views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are anything but radical.
"My feelings are very fair -- I wish both sides would come to a peaceful agreement and both live in peace," Aboushi said. "I want to see them live together in harmony and enjoy the land instead of focusing on conflict with each other."
Also, Aboushi denied being an anti-Semitic, saying he has many Jewish friends.
"Some of my best friends are Jewish. I have teammates who are Jewish, and I was brought up with Jewish kids. I never had any problem with them, and I respect them just as much as they respect me," he said.
Despite the accusations against their player, the Jets said they will not cut Aboushi. The club also released a statement today supporting -- within bounds -- their players' right to free speech.
NFL Football News & Analysis [...]
- Player Milestones: What to Look For in 2013
- Double-Threat Running Backs
- The NFL's Undrafted Stars
- High-Profile Small-School Stars in the NFL Today
- Joe Flacco: Calm and Cool
- Adrian Peterson: Rushing into the Record Books
- Big Play Excitement in the NFL
- Excitement Abounds as New Coaches Take Over NFL Teams
- The NFL's Big-Time Wide Receivers
- Megatron Makes History: Calvin Johnson Sets Receiving Record
- Tom Brady is Tom Terrific
- Cool Brees: QB Drew Brees Leads Saints
- Ravens & Broncos Kick Off NFL 2013 Season
- NFL 2013 Kickoff Weekend Notes
- NFL Strength of Schedule Team Rankings
- NFL 2013 Total Team Miles Traveled
- What to Look For in 2013
- NFL Ratchets Up the Excitement
- Remembering the Ravens Super Bowl XLVII Victory
- Super Bowl Victory Follow-Ups
- Winning Traditions in the NFL
- Quarterback Success in the NFL
- NFL Quarterbacks of the Future
- Offensive Tackles Protecting the Quarterback
- Spread Offense
- Good Running Backs Come in Pairs
- NFL Tight Ends on the Rise in 2013
- Exciting Plays in the Return Game
- Turnovers Key to Victory in the NFL
- Return to Sender
- Importance of the Ground Game
- Excelling on Third Down
- Fourth-and-One Situations
- The NFL's Sack Attack
- From Worst to First
- The Value of Football
- NFL Touchdown Streaks
- Peyton Manning and the NFL Record Books
- Aaron Rodgers Continues to Build His Legacy
- Young Quarterbacks on the Rise in 2013
- NFL Rookies Excelled in 2012
- Colin Kaepernick Off to an Outstanding Start
- Randall Cobb: Mr. Versatility
- Devin Hester: NFL Game-Changer
- New NFL Rules for 2013
- NFL Rules: A Constant Evolution
-
NFL Continues to Emphasize Player Health and Safety
- Thigh and Knee Pads Mandatory in 2013
- New York / New Jersey to Host First Super Bowl
- NFL Championship Weather
- Opening Day 1947: A Record 87 Points
- The 'Holy Roller' Game - Chargers vs Raiders - 1978
- NFL 2013: Best NFL Records, Past 10 Years
- NFL Football Still America's Favorite Sport By Far in 2013
- NFL to Play Two Regular-Season Games in London for First Time
- Bills Toronto Series Carries On
- 2013 NFL Draft Goes International
- Lawrence Okoye: From Discus to D-Line
- Best NFL Kickoff Weekend Performances, 1933-2012
- Best NFL Kickoff Weekend Performances, Past Ten Seasons
- Colin Kaepernick Tops NFL Jersey Sales
- Offseason Moves: Same Faces, New Places
- NFL 2013: Overtime Excitement
- Modified Sudden Death Overtime
- Jets Rookie Lineman Says He's Not a Radical Muslim
- Jets Rookie Lineman Says He's Not a Radical Muslim
- Geno Smith Shuns Mark Sanchez Football Camp
- Alfonzo Dennard Adds to Patriots Woes with DUI Arrest
- Lions Extend Matthew Stafford for three years with 'Extra' $53M
- Patriots owner Robert Kraft Breaks Silence on Aaron Hernandez
- Ex-Giants Linebacker Files Lawsuit Against Redskins, Gregg Williams
- Giants Sign Victor Cruz to six-year, $46M extension
- Despite Woes, Jimmy Haslam will not sell Browns
- Patriots Fans Dump Aaron Hernandez by trading in his jersey
- The Curse of Redskins
- Missouri Turns Down $700M Upgrade of Rams Home Field
- Redskins Eric Kettani Gets Hate Mail for Navy Deal
- Raiders Settle with ex-QB JaMarcus Russell for $3M
- Texans' Cushing: J.J. Watt could be best defensive player ever
- Ex-Patriot Aaron Hernandez petition for bail denied
- Ex-coach Bill Parcells Regrets Leaving Patriots
- Jets Veterans Want Mark Sanchez to Start at Quarterback
- Ex-Giants, Jets punter Dave Jennings dead at 61
- 49ers Extend Justin Smith through 2015
- Radio Hosts Fired for Mocking Saints defensive back Steve Gleason
Copyright © All Rights Reserved
"Jets Rookie Lineman Says He's Not a Radical Muslim