EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Second-year right tackle Evan Neal apologized to New York Giants fans on Thursday for calling them fair-weathered because they booed his performance Monday night.
“I am wrong for lashing out at the fans who are just as passionate and frustrated as I am,” Neal wrote Thursday on X, formerly Twitter. “I let my frustrations in my play and desire to get the best of me. I had no right to make light of anyone’s job and I deeply regret the things I said."
Neal also said he apologized to his teammates for being a distraction in a season in which the Giants (1-3) have failed to live up to expectations.
Neal said he was booed by fans at MetLife Stadium Monday during a 24-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The Giants allowed 11 sacks in the game.
On Wednesday, Neal called those fans fair-weather. He then went a step too far.
“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," the No. 7 pick in the 2022 draft said.
Neal didn't stop there.
"Why would a lion concern himself with the opinion of a sheep?” he said. “The person that’s commenting on my performance, what does he do? Flip hot dogs and hamburgers somewhere?”
Coach Brian Daboll said he spoke with Neal on Thursday and told him he can't let fans comments get the best of him.
"It’s a humbling league," Daboll said. "Whether you are winning a few games and then lose a few games or you lose early, be consistent in your approach to handle things the right way. We had a slip-up there.”
Neal said he was not trying to pick a battle with the fans, but his frustration got the best of him. He said he apologizes to anyone he offended.
Star running back Saquon Barkley said there is a lot of frustration among the players because of the way they are playing, and he added that's fine.
“The advice I would give him as a teammate is never pick a battle with the fans," Barkley said after practice. “They have been here before and will be here after we're gone. You never talk about the fans. You're never going to win that one.”
Neal hopes to rebuild some trust with the fans.
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