{"id":55997,"date":"2025-06-15T02:24:30","date_gmt":"2025-06-15T02:24:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=55997"},"modified":"2025-06-15T02:24:30","modified_gmt":"2025-06-15T02:24:30","slug":"nfl-player-compares-his-achilles-tear-to-illegal-deportations-in-bizarre-remarks-about-la-protests","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=55997","title":{"rendered":"NFL player compares his Achilles tear to ‘illegal’ deportations in bizarre remarks about LA protests"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dolphins guard James Daniels brought up the ‘illegal’\u00a0mass deportations occurring in the United States<\/span>\u00a0as he downplayed the Achilles injury he is recovering from.<\/p>\n

Daniels, who joined the Dolphins this offseason, is working his way back from an Achilles injury suffered last fall while he was with the Steelers.<\/p>\n

And when asked about his own challenges, he attempted to put things in perspective as he discussed the\u00a0immigration raids in Los Angeles<\/span>.<\/p>\n

‘I mean, I realize I’m in a great position,’ he told reporters. ‘You know, Achilles, yes it’s unfortunate, but there are people in way worse positions, you know.’<\/p>\n

‘I think, like especially with what’s happening in [Los Angeles<\/span>], you know like people’s parents, people’s grandparents are being deported illegally, you know.<\/p>\n

‘Like, I don’t have to worry about my mom getting deported or my dad getting deported or my wife getting deported, you know. And I’ve played a long time. I’ve made decent money. And so, there’s a lot bigger issues that people have on their plate. So for me, going through an Achilles injury is pretty easy.’<\/p>\n

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Miami Dolphins guard James Daniels described the ongoing deportations as ‘illegal’<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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President Donald Trump’s policy of ordering mass deportations affected LA this week<\/p>\n

Daniels is entering his eighth year in the NFL after stints with the Bears and Steelers.<\/p>\n

He signed a three-year, $24million deal with Miami this offseason and has over $58million in career earnings,\u00a0p<\/a>er Spotrac.<\/p>\n

His comments come amid a week of mass deportations and subsequent protests in Los Angeles, with President Trump continuing his stern focus on immigration.<\/p>\n

The president even\u00a0deployed troops to the area\u00a0<\/span>as some rioters have\u00a0lit cars on fire<\/span>.<\/p>\n

However, the\u00a0Trump administration later\u00a0pumped the brakes on its mass deportation agenda<\/span>, telling ICE officials to pause raids on farms, hotels and restaurants,<\/p>\n

The significant update was reported by the New York Times, who cited\u00a0an internal email and three US officials familiar with the situation.<\/p>\n

Trump also acknowledged on his Truth Social platform hat some of the deportations he’s ordered has hurt industries in agricultural, hospitality and food sectors.<\/p>\n

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Border Patrol personnel deploy tear gas during a demonstration over the dozens detained in an operation by federal immigration authorities<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Protestors have taken to the streets amid the immigration raids in Los Angeles<\/p>\n