A Buffalo Bills player has canceled his charity golf tournament at one of Donald Trump’s Florida courses, saying “numerous teams up north” pulled out because of the presidential candidate’s politics.
“I was very excited for this tournament” said Bills safety and Pro Bowler Jordan Poyer, who was hosting next month’s event, in an Instagram video on Saturday. “It was going to be at one of my favorite courses, the Blue Monster at Trump National in Doral [in Miami].
“Unfortunately, there have been a lot of teams up north that have pulled out of the tournament, not only the tournament, but they also wrote emails to a big sponsor that was going to help sponsor my tournament, and this company now.”, it’s a shame they’ve pulled out and decided they don’t want to participate in my tournament, which they participated in last year, where it is, Trump National in Doral,” Poyer said, 32-year-old Oregon native while lounging poolside in a bathing suit.
Poyer said the “big sponsor” was Erie County Medical Center, although the hospital he told the Buffalo News who was a beneficiary of the event but not a sponsor.
Poyer said “numerous teams up north” pulled out because of Trump’s policy.Getty Images
“ECMC decided they can no longer take the pressure from the top, from the people above them, and it probably has nothing to do with ECMC,” Poyer said.
“I’m very grateful and blessed to have worked with the people I’ve worked with at ECMC the last two years,” said the athlete, who lives in Miami during the offseason.
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“I’m not naive. I understand where they are on the political spectrum, where New York is on the political spectrum. Do I agree with a lot of that? No, I don’t. I’m sorry, but I don’t.”
Erie County Medical Center did not respond to a request for comment from The Post.
But in a statement in the Buffalo NewsECMC Foundation Executive Director Susan Gonzalez said her organization “was fortunate to be a beneficiary of the Jordan Poyer Golf Tournament in Florida.
“While the Foundation was not a sponsor, we have had an excellent partnership with Jordan and respect his decision to cancel his tournament; We hope you will consider supporting us at your future events.”
The golf outing, scheduled for July 11, was designed to raise money to upgrade ECMC’s gymnasium for teenagers in recovery services. according to WIVB in Buffalo.
The golf outing, scheduled for July 11, was designed to raise money to upgrade the gym at Erie County Medical Center for Teens in Recovery Services.Getty Images
The event was to bring together groups from the tournament with a celebrity athlete lineup, including Bills wide receiver Gabe Davis, New York Giants wide receiver Austin Proehl and Washington Commanders linebacker Cole Holcomb, the outlet said .
The former president’s golf courses and properties have been in disrepair before due to his polarizing politics.
New York City canceled its contract to run Ferry Point Golf Course in the Bronx following the January 6, 2021 riots at the Capitol. A judge later ruled that the maneuver was illegal.
A Saudi-funded tournament at Trump’s National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey has also been the site of protests by survivors and relatives of victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Poyer promised his event would return next year.
