Giants OL Evan Neal apologizes after calling mad New York fans 'bandwagoners'
New York Giants offensive lineman Evan Neal issued an apology after blasting "fair-weather" Giants fans, who he said "flip hot dogs and hamburgers somewhere," following the Giants' loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Monday.
"I am wrong for lashing out at fans who are just as passionate and frustrated as I am," Neal wrote in a message posted to X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday evening. "I let my frustrations in my play and 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."
Earlier Wednesday, Neal defiantly took aim at fans who were critical of the Giants' disappointing 1-3 start to the season after the team's 24-3 loss to the Seahawks on "Monday Night Football." New York never found the end zone during Monday's loss as quarterback Daniel Jones was sacked a franchise-high 11 times.
“Why would a lion concern himself with the opinion of a sheep?" Neal told NJ.com. "I honestly do not care what anybody has to say about Evan Neal, because they’re going to talk anyway."
The Giants' underwhelming performance brought out the boo-birds at MetLife Stadium. At one point, the "Monday Night Football" broadcast showed Neal encouraging New York fans to boo louder. Although the offensive line has taken the lion's share of the blame, Neal said he's not concerned with fan's opinions.
"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," Neal told the outlet. "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?”
Through four games, the Giants' offense ranks last in total points scored (46) and second-to-last in total yards (1,008) this season. New York has not scored a touchdown in two games at MetLife Stadium, registering a lone field goal. But Neal, who the Giants selected out of Alabama with the seventh overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, said he's only focused on getting better.
“Go watch the film,” Neal said. “At the end of the day, I know I’m making improvements. It doesn’t matter what the outside may say or anything. You ask the guys around me and the coaching staff. I know I’m improving. And I’m going to continue to improve throughout the duration of the season.”
Later Wednesday, Neal said his comments were "an unnecessary distraction" to the team as the Giants prepare to travel to Miami to take on the Dolphins (3-1) on Sunday.
"We are working day in and day out to grow as a team," he concluded in his statement. "I apologize."