It has now been five years since Geno Smith was involved in one of the most infamous locker room altercations in NFL history, and the former New York Jets quarterback does not appreciate the way the story was rehashed on Tuesday.
Geno Smith To Start At QB For Giants Sunday, Ending Manning's StreakEli Manning's 13-year streak as the Giants' starting quarterback is coming to an end, with coach Ben McAdoo announcing that Geno. Career Stats for QB Geno Smith. YEAR TEAM G ATT COMP PCT YDS AVG LNG TD INT 1st 1st% 20+ SCK SCKY RATE; 2013 New York Jets.
Smith suffered a broken jaw before the 2015 season after then-teammate IK Enemkpali sucker-punched him in the locker room. The dispute began over $600 that Smith supposedly owed Enemkpali when the quarterback no-showed a youth football camp that Enemkpali had invited him to. ESPN’s Rich Cimini spoke with several former Jets players about the incident and published a lengthy piece on Tuesday, which irritated Smith.
- First team AAA all-state in 2010 and member of AJC Super 11.Selected to the 2011 Super Southeast 120 by the Mobile (Ala.) Register.
- Geno Smith was not the sole or even the primary cause for the Jets' loss to the Raiders. But he is also not a franchise QB and certainly not the future for the Jets. There is now serious cause for concern about how the rest of the season will play out.
This what y’all posting? This what really happened? Hell no. Negativity sells in this world and lies go further than the truth. The devilish acts perpetuated in the media will never get old. It’s a shame what these people do for a story! https://t.co/esGO5mzNPF
— Geno (@GenoSmith3) August 11, 2020
Smith, who has never really given his entire side of the story, then went on a rant and said he will tell the truth about the incident when he’s ready.
Geno Smith Rex Ryan
You rats will never be honorable.
— Geno (@GenoSmith3) August 11, 2020
We got the real story! We gonna tell it when we ready! We got bigger fish to fry right now and best believe I’m here for a real reason. Where I’m from things could’ve gone left after that incident very fast. I chose to take a different route. That’s what a man does.
— Geno (@GenoSmith3) August 11, 2020
I woke up to more money in my account and my baby smiling. I’m living a life only few can imagine. God been fighting my battles. These cowards will never win.
— Geno (@GenoSmith3) August 11, 2020
Smith also accused ESPN and other media outlets of racism.
These media outlets instigate. They paint the picture of a successful black man in this negative light. It’s almost like there’s some sort of agenda. I haven’t played for the Jets in 4 years.
— Geno (@GenoSmith3) August 11, 2020
Let’s talk about ESPN being owned by Walt Disney who made a killing off putting toons in black face. Soliciting violence in all the cartoons.
— Geno (@GenoSmith3) August 11, 2020
The general consensus from former players who spoke with ESPN was that Smith owed Enemkpali money and simply did not consider it a priority. Smith denied that he owed Enemkpali money not long after the incident, so it will be interesting to see if he ever tells his side of the story. There were some at the time who said Smith deserved what he got, while others felt he did nothing wrong.
Smith is currently a backup with the Seattle Seahawks, while Enemkpali is out of the league. For what it’s worth, Enemkpali was also unhappy about ESPN’s piece. He asked ESPN in a Facebook message, “What’s the point of bringing it back up? What’s your motive?”
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Jamal Adams facing the Jets got a lot of attention in the days leading up to Sunday’s game in Seattle, but he’s not the only former Jet helping the Seahawks to an easy win.
Geno Smith took over at quarterback late in the third quarter as the Seahawks decided it was time for Russell Wilson to call it a day. The Seahawks were winning 37-3 at the time of the move.
Smith was a 2013 second-round pick who started 29 games in his first two seasons with the Jets. He had his jaw broken when then-teammate IK Enemkpali punched him in the locker room and Ryan Fitzpatrick took over as the team’s starter in 2015.
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Smith last played in a regular season game with the Chargers in 2018.
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Adams and Smith are joined by tackle Brandon Shell, kicker Jason Myers, and defensive tackle Damon Harrison in the Jets alumni section of the Seahawks roster. Head coach Pete Carroll had the same job with the Jets in 1994 and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer ran the Jets Offense from 2006 to 2011.