New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie defended his longtime love for the Dallas Cowboys on Monday after his cheering for the team sparked a social media firestorm.
Christie was spotted high-fiving Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in a luxury box Sunday night at the Cowboys-Philadelphia Eagles game.
The interactions prompted a wave of hate on Twitter from angry Eagles fans, who apparently were unaware the governor has long been a Cowboys fan despite his New Jersey roots.
Christie responded to the meltdown Monday morning with an unscheduled appearance on WPG Talk Radio 1450.
He told listeners he's never made a secret of his Cowboys fandom and said he would never change his team loyalties to score political points.
"I love passionate sports fans. I really do. I'm a passionate sports fan. And so I can't say that I was the least bit surprised by the reaction of some Eagles fans," he said.
"I don't react in that way, but I'm an enthusiastic Dallas Cowboys fan. I've never made a secret of it from the time I entered public life."
He also took to Twitter to respond to some of the kinder commenters.
always will RT @1957Mom: @GovChristie @dallascowboys way to go Gov. Not a Republican but thanks for cheering for our Boys!!
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) December 15, 2014great game #FinishTheFight RT @mcijerry: @GovChristie @dallascowboys - How bout them Cowboys!
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) December 15, 2014The Associated Press contributed to this report.