After he referred to a fan as a “retard” in a tweet and was unapologetic about doing it, the New York Giants have waived cornerback Janoris Jenkins.
Jenkins, who suffered an ankle injury in Monday night’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, used the insensitive language in a Twitter exchange with a fan earlier this week.
I only can do my job.. retard https://t.co/hYDVcbk9sd
— JackRabbit2.0 (@JjenkzLockdown) December 11, 2019
After fans reacted, Jenkins tweeted an apology of sorts that seemed less than genuine.
My apology for the word I used earlier, really didn’t mean no “HARM”. #RabbitLoveEverybody
— JackRabbit2.0 (@JjenkzLockdown) December 11, 2019
His explanation of why he used the word also didn’t improve the situation.
“Where I’m from, we use all kind of words for slang. If it offends anybody, I’m sorry,” Jenkins told ESPN. “It’s a culture that I grew up in where I’m from, you know what I’m saying. We use all kinds of words for all kinds of slang. If you don’t know, it’s a ‘hood thing. Whatever. I’m not calling nobody no name or pick at nobody. It’s just something we use in the hood back at home. I really didn’t seem so bad with it. People like y’all started picking it up and making stories. So I just apologized.”
To make matters worse for Jenkins, the Twiter exchange actually happened during practice, a time when he should have been paying attention and supporting his teammates despite being injured.
The news of Jenkins’ release was announced on Friday and he did not seem particularly upset based on his reaction on Twitter.
Best news ever.. Thank you
— JackRabbit2.0 (@JjenkzLockdown) December 13, 2019
“This was an organizational decision,” Giants coach Pat Shurmur said at his Friday press conference. “From ownership to management to our football operations, we felt it was in the best interests of the franchise and the player. Obviously, what happened this week and the refusal to acknowledge the inappropriate and offensive language, was the determining factor.”
Already one of the NFL’s worst secondaries, the Giants will move forward with DeAndre Baker, Sam Beal and Corey Ballentine as their starting corners.
The Giants take on the Dolphins on Sunday and it’s believed Eli Manning will make his second straight start for New York.
Now available to be claimed by any of the 31 other NFL teams via the waiver process, Jenkins will become a free agent if no one picks him up.
The 31-year-old has 54 tackles, 14 passes defended and four interceptions this season.
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