Legendary quarterback Boomer Esiason’s intervention ultimately led American Sniper to be screened at the University Of Maryland, who had previously halted it from being shown.
After being asked about a previous statement he’d made where he declared that he’d never attend an event by the University of Maryland — his alma mater — ever again because of this cancellation, Boomer Esiason explained to Metropolis Nights Magazine , “Actually, they sent me an email saying that they are going to show the movie.”
The University Of Maryland had previously decided not to screen American Sniper after the Muslim Student Association stated of the film, “This movie dehumanizes Muslim individuals, promotes the idea of senseless mass murder, and portrays negative and inaccurate stereotypes.”
During his aforementioned chat with the magazine, Boomer explained why he felt so offended by these remarks.
“I was really disgusted by that story. I’m an American and I believe in the freedom of speech. The movie should be shown. You don’t let one group ask you not show the movie because they are insulted.”
Esiason also revealed that his foundation office had an office on the 101st floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center, and on 9/11 he lost 50 friends. In the days following the attacks, Boomer “spent time on that pile of rubble with the first responders delivering food and offering any support possible.”
This provoked Boomer to note that he finds it insulting that “14 years later, many seem to have forgotten what it was like here back then.” Esiason continued:
“So when a group of Islamic students attack American Sniper , I see it as a personal attack. In my eyes Chris Kyle was an American hero… show the movie!”
Back in April, via the Baltimore Sun , the University Of Maryland College Park student group pulled American Sniper from its lineup because a Muslim student group gathered 300 signatures to cancel the film. The Oscar-nominated film was originally due to air on May 6th and 7th; however, Boomer Esiason’s comments suggest that it will now air at a later date.
Esiason played college football at the University Of Maryland, and during his tenure he set 17 school records, completing 461 of his 850 passes for 6,169 yards and 42 touchdowns with 27 interceptions.
[Image via PMC Variety / EW ]
