Teenager explains flying protest banner for Giants' home game vs. Chargers

A Thursday report shared that "a banner with a message aimed at" the New York Giants' "ineptitude" will fly over MetLife Stadium when the 0-3 Giants host the 3-0 Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday. 

Darryl Slater of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com later revealed that at least two plane protest banners are scheduled for the Giants-Chargers clash.

16-year-old high school junior Joshua Reynolds told Slater why he launched a GoFundMe campaign to pay for one of the banners after Reynolds "nicely asked" Giants co-owner John Mara to fire often-criticized defensive coordinator Shane Bowen during an encounter that occurred inside a MetLife Stadium tunnel ahead of last Sunday's home game against the Kansas City Chiefs. 

16-year-old wants John Mara to start 'listening' to angry Giants fans

"He kind of glared at me, so I don’t think he’s listening," Reynolds said about that interaction with Mara. 

The banner purchased by Reynolds is slated to read: "MR MARA ENOUGH IS ENOUGH CLEAN HOUSE." The message is similar to one banner from last season that warned the protests wouldn't stop "until you fire everyone." 

Mara retained both head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen this past winter, but the Giants have now gone 9-28 since the start of the 2023 regular season. 

"To be honest, at first, I thought [this banner] was kind of a little crazy," Reynolds admitted during his chat with Slater. "But then, just seeing game after game how the Giants are playing, I think it’s a great way to send a message. Because from where we are now, Mr. Mara isn’t getting the message." 

Protest is a bittersweet moment for Giants fan

Pockets of Giants fans posting on social media have criticized Reynolds for going through with the protest that will forever be linked with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart making his first regular-season start for the club. According to Slater, Dart is Reynolds' "favorite player," but the teenager nevertheless offered no indication that he will cancel the banner before Sunday morning arrives. 

"I think the timing is a little bad," Reynolds acknowledged about this particular protest. "But it’s not the quarterback’s problem. It’s a coaching problem. So it’s just bad on Jaxson if we don’t have good play calling for him."

If the Giants keep losing with Dart in the lineup, Mara may not need to be convinced that he has to show Daboll and Schoen the door before or after the ongoing season wraps up.