Giants' Evan Neal addresses lashing out of fans amid struggles

New York Giants right tackle Evan Neal took responsibility for regrettable comments he made on Wednesday about hearing boos from angry home fans during this past Monday's 24-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium.

"When I made those comments, they were just out of a moment of frustration," Neal explained on Thursday, according to Alex Smith of SNY. "Right now, we must play better as a team, I must perform better myself, and I just kind of let my frustration get the best of me in that moment." 

Neal generated headlines on Wednesday when he lashed out at fans he referred to as "bandwagoners," "sheep" and people who "flip hot dogs and hamburgers somewhere." The seventh overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft later offered an apology via social media and expanded upon that post while speaking with reporters on Thursday. 

"I wasn’t trying to pick a fight with anyone, honestly," Neal said. "That was just a moment of frustration. I kind of said something, although it wasn’t my intent to offend anyone or anyone’s occupation, that’s how it came across and I own up for that. I definitely could have used a better choice of words for sure, but I love the fans that support us and are behind us and that want to fight for us and cheer for us. I just apologize to those that I offended." 

Giants head coach Brian Daboll said earlier in the day that Neal "was frustrated" but also "made a poor choice, poor decision, poor comments" after the 23-year-old received a plethora of online criticism for his lackluster play over the season's first four games. Neal and the rest of a disappointing offensive line surrendered 11 total sacks against Seattle en route to the Giants falling to 1-3 in a season that seemingly is spiraling out of control.

Neal said Thursday his comments from the previous day were "unacceptable" regardless of how discouraged he feels.

"Right now, I’m just not performing at my absolute best," Neal added. "We’re not performing as a team at our absolute best and it’s frustrating when you’re a competitor and you want to win. You put a lot of hard work into something and you’re not getting the results that you want. It’s tough and it’s frustrating." 

Things get no easier for a Giants side that desperately needs Neal to flip a figurative switch as soon as possible. New York plays at the 3-1 Miami Dolphins this Sunday, and OddsChecker listed the visitors as 11.5-point underdogs for that game as of Thursday afternoon.