NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Gov. Chris Christie is defending his longtime love for the Dallas Cowboys after his cheering for the team sparked a social media firestorm.

Gov. Chris Christie talks with Jerry Jones before a Sunday night game between the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Sept. 8, 2013 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Gov. Chris Christie talks with Jerry Jones before a Sunday night game between the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Sept. 8, 2013 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Christie was spotted high-fiving Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in a luxury box Sunday night at the Philadelphia Eagles-Cowboys 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 with Harry Hurley.

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.

He also took to Twitter to respond to some of the kinder commenters.

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