Tom Ricketts addresses media for first time since dad's emails were exposed

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Cubs chairman and team owner Tom Ricketts addressed the media Monday for the first time since his father's emails were leaked.

“We know he’s not that guy. It’s easy to take some emails and try to paint a picture." Ricketts said. "We know who my father is. We know he’s not the person that some of the articles want to make him to be."

Joe Ricketts had several private emails published by Splinter that contain racially insensitive language, particularly directed towards Muslims. He also forwarded jokes with racial slurs in the punchlines.

Both Tom and Joe released statements shortly after the emails were leaked. The former also said that he apologized to Cubs players in his annual meeting with the team for the distraction. 

“Those aren’t the values my family was raised with," Ricketts said. "I was surprised to see the emails…I’ve never heard my father say anything that was even remotely racist. Just wasn’t our family values. 

“I love him, he’s my dad, he’s a great man.”

Tom Ricketts and the leaders of several Muslim groups (CAIR-Chicago, the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago – CIOGC and the IL Muslim Civic Coalition) met following the publication of Ricketts' emails. In a joint statement Monday, the Cubs and CAIR-Chicago announced steps toward combating Islamophobia, bigotry and racism.

According to a press release, the meeting concluded with a discussion on a proposed plan of action. The plan includes:

The participation of notable Muslims in Cubs and Wrigley Field traditions, anti-hate PSAs featuring Cubs personnel helping to raise public awareness against Islamophobia, as well as Cubs support for three community initiatives: anti-bullying efforts, diversity and inclusion training and scholarships. The details of these and other initiatives, as well as the implementation timeline, will be discussed in subsequent meetings in the coming weeks.

“We are encouraged the Cubs, led by Tom Ricketts, responded swiftly and genuinely in partnering with us to turn the situation around," CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab said. 

"As a result, the Cubs are taking a significant step forward and will use the power of their brand and voice to fight Islamophobia, racism and bigotry.

"We hope other franchises follow their lead. This active commitment to our shared values of Everybody In is not only great for the brand, but for all fans, for the affected communities and for our city as a whole.” 

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