That didn't take long. On Wednesday night, NY Giants right tackle Evan Neal made countless headlines after he ripped Big Blue fans for calling out his terrible play. Neal, the 2022 No. 7 overall pick, has been a major disappointment this season.
His frustration with his own play reached a boiling point, as he told Darryl Slater of NJ.com that he encourages NY fans to boo him louder, and that he's not worried about what people who make hot dogs and hamburgers for a living think about him. It was a classless message sent by No. 73 all around. Shortly after his comments went viral, Neal apologized, but plenty of people are still ticked off at him.
— Evan Neal (@ENeal73) October 5, 2023
Evan Neal apologized for blasting NY Giants fans this week
On Thursday, Brian Daboll said he spoke with Neal about what he had to say. Obviously, this is a mistake that Neal can't be making. He's a young man who let his emotions get the best of him, but turning on the Big Blue supporters and disrespecting them in such a way can't happen again. People all over the country couldn't believe he attacked NY fans in the first place:
Brian Daboll said Evan Neal is “very remorseful for the comments that he’s made. Said “it was a slip-up and they’re moving on”
— Michelle Margaux (@mmargaux8) October 5, 2023
EVAN NEAL CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/fxf0qtPqf6
— AK (@AKris__) October 5, 2023
Just make up for it by playing better that’s all we ask for.
— Luke Garrison (SonicHockeyCoolFanAccount) (@SHCBackupAcc) October 5, 2023
As a devout Giants fan, the only way I’d forgive you is if you sat out this week. It would mean the world to me as a fan.
— Ghost of Adam Gase (@GhostOfAdamGase) October 5, 2023
We accept that apology. All we ask is that you understand that while winning certainly matters, respecting our investment in the team also matters. Good luck Sunday. I'm traveling down to Florida rooting like hell for you and the @Giants
— thomas doherty (@tuckahoetommy) October 5, 2023
If Evan Neal chooses to apologize, then it should be his choice to apologize.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) October 4, 2023
What's most important, imo, is that Neal gets an understanding of why his reported comments can be insulting to fans and others.
The reaction to those comments, as expected, has been over the top.…
Oh, boy. This is NOT the smart approach for a player in Neal’s position https://t.co/6zBTKpjz30
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) October 4, 2023
Wow. And I mean ... Wow.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) October 4, 2023
I'm not sure what Giants RT Evan Neal was thinking here, but ... Wow.
Probably good for him that the Giants are on the road the next two weeks. https://t.co/i5F7Yk33C8
Daboll said the team is ready to move on from what happened here, but plenty of Giants fans aren't going to be so forgiving. What Neal has to understand is that people use their hard-earned money to fill the stands at MetLife Stadium. They also use part of their paychecks to purchase his jersey.
It doesn't matter if a person is in real estate, sells cars or flips hamburgers for their job. It was completely out of line and out of character for the former first-round pick to explode in such a manner. Neal is coming off a horrendous showing against the Seahawks. Because of his play, people are calling for him to be benched as the starting right tackle and for him to be moved to right guard.
Come this Sunday, Neal and the Giants are hoping to somehow find a way to stun the Dolphins in Miami. It goes without saying, but there will be a lot less people cheering on the lineman after what he said this week. The apology helps, but Neal definitely hurt thousands out there too.