Evan Neal apologizes to Giants fans after labeling them as sheep
Evan Neal issued an apology to New York Giants fans Wednesday after calling them out for being “sheep” earlier in the day.
“I am wrong for lashing out at the fans who are just as passionate and frustrated as I am,” Neal wrote on X. “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.”
Neal took issue with fans booing the team during the 24-3 Week 4 loss to the Seattle Seahawks Monday. Two days removed from the Giants’ offensive line allowing quarterback Daniel Jones to be sacked 10 times, Neal fired back at fans who showered MetLife Stadium with boos.
“Why would a lion concern himself with the opinion of a sheep?” Neal said Wednesday, via NJ.com. “The person that’s commenting on my performance, what does he do? Flip hot dogs and hamburgers somewhere?”
Evan Neal struggling during sophomore season with Giants
Neal, New York’s first-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Alabama, has struggled since entering the league. After allowing seven sacks as a rookie, Neal has recorded a 42.5 overall grade through four games in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus.
Neal has become subject to criticism from Giants fans for his play — reminiscent of infamous first-round bust Ereck Flowers. While Neal understands he needs to play better, he’s got no time for “fair-weather” 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?”