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Seahawks' Cliff Avril tweets message as 'proud descendant of Haiti'

Avril's comments come after reports President Trump used a derogatory term to describe Haiti.
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril had a message to share Friday afternoon.

“As a proud descendant of Haiti, I’m disappointed by the divisive words from the President,” Avril tweeted Friday. “Haitians and others have contributed to this country and should be able to continue to do so.”

Avril’s tweet comes in response to President Donald Trump’s alleged derogatory marks towards Haitians on Thursday, per the Washington Post.

Trump on Friday denied making the statements.

"Never said anything derogatory about Haitians other than Haiti is, obviously, a very poor and troubled country," Trump said, adding that he has a wonderful relationship with Haitians and that the reports of what he said were made up by Democrats.

The reports indicate the President used the term "s***hole* to describe Haiti. In a separate tweet, the President indicated he did not use such language.

One of those in the meeting, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, said Friday that the President's denial was not true.

Avril regularly travels to Haiti on humanitarian visits and is often accompanied by various NFL players, including former Seahawks running back, Marshawn Lynch.

The Cliff Avril Family Foundation is actively involved in increasing the awareness of youth Type 2 diabetes as well as promoting healthy living through nutrition and exercise.

In 2016, Avril announced he would be building a house in Haiti for every sack he logged on the season.

Last season, Avril was Seattle’s nominee for the NFL’s prestigious Art Rooney Award and the 2016 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.

Avril has been a fan-favorite in Seattle for much more than his contributions on Sunday. Sustaining a neck injury this season, Avril was placed on the injured reserve and his return to football remains uncertain.

More information on Avril’s foundation and efforts in Haiti can be found here.

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