EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 2: Evan Neal #73 of the New York Giants runs out of the tunnel prior to an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium on October 2, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
New York Giants offensive lineman Evan Neal apologized after delivering a rant to reporters in response to fans booing the team at MetLife Stadium last week. The Giants lost the primetime contest to the Seattle Seahawks 24-3.
“Why would a lion concern himself with the opinion of a sheep?” Neal said, according to NJ Advance Media. “The person that’s commenting on my performance, what does he do? Flip hot dogs and hamburgers somewhere?”
Neal went on to say that he told fans that they should “boo louder” as he was walking off the field. He continued his rant after being asked to explain his response to fans.
“Because that just further shows that people are fair-weather,” Neal said. “A lot of fans are bandwagoners. I mean, I get it: They want to see us perform well. And I respect all of that. But no one wants us to perform well more than we do … And how can you say you’re really a fan when we’re out there battling our asses off – and the game wasn’t going well – but the best you can do is boo your home team? So how much of a fan are you, really?”
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In his apology Thursday, Neal backtracked on many of his original comments, claiming that he was frustrated by the team’s loss and took it out on fans. He also admitted that the offensive line had to improve.
“I am wrong for lashing out at the fans who are just as passionate and frustrated as I am,” Neal said in a statement posted on Twitter. “I let my frustrations in my play + desire to win get the best of me. I had no right to make light of anyone’s job and I deeply regret the things I said. We are working day in and day out to grow as a team and this was an unnecessary distraction. I apologize.”
In four games, Neal has allowed 25 quarterback hurries, one of many factors negatively impacting quarterback Daniel Jones’ play. The team is 1-3 and faces the Dolphins and Bills in Weeks 5 and 6.
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