Geno took one for IK's community. IK got his respect back. Makes sense now.
GS has a 5 million dollar contract (over 3 guaranteed) and he needs to weasel out of $600?
What a guy!
What a guy!
What! An NFL player committed an act of violence? Isn't that the idea? Isn't the whole thing violence that has been taught since little league football? Surely, the NFL sells violence and it should shock that a player lost his cool and responded to ridicule and teasing in such a way? No surprise here.
Sorry but IK is a useless person. $600, not paid yet..because Geno Smith went to a friends funeral ? Rex Ryan is despicable for creating and enabling that culture of thugs. The Jets are to be held in equal contempt.
Thank goodness for a coach who treats these thugs like the little boys they are. .shameful
Thank goodness for a coach who treats these thugs like the little boys they are. .shameful
Sounds like you have the whole inside story. If not, you are out of line in burying this man because of his angry, impulsive action. Humans make big and little mistakes. IK is human. Not condoning, but who is without sin.
2
Sad but true, Enemkpali's punch will prove to those guys that came to the instructional camp that he honestly believed Smith was going to come.
2
One other thing:
A high school growth spurt is mentioned. And although it says he gained 50 pounds of muscle in two years, it doesn't say if he got taller which is the usual result of a growth spurt. Which raises the question of whether that growth was the result of a PED such as steroids and whether he has continued to use one or another of these drugs, many of which promote impulsivity. Yes, I know, no high school, college, or pro player would ever dare to use a PED.
A high school growth spurt is mentioned. And although it says he gained 50 pounds of muscle in two years, it doesn't say if he got taller which is the usual result of a growth spurt. Which raises the question of whether that growth was the result of a PED such as steroids and whether he has continued to use one or another of these drugs, many of which promote impulsivity. Yes, I know, no high school, college, or pro player would ever dare to use a PED.
2
There is a difference between a growth spurt and gaining weight. I think the term is universally understood.
1
That incident when he was 19 doesn't sound like much ado about nothing the article suggests it was. He was an underage drinker who tried to punch somebody who hadn't attacked him. As he was already a big, muscular guy, it's understandable the guard used pepper spray to protect himself. And it doesn't matter if he was an off duty cop or a private citizen. Enemkpali is lucky the guy didn't shoot him as Louisiana has very loose gun laws. Also, where did he get this "exorbitant sum" he was offering to the guard?
Quite probably if he wasn't a football player, he'd have been kicked out of school. But, of course, we've longed learned there is a very different set of rules for collegiate athletes and regular students when it comes to the law.
Finally, as to being teased by the other players on the Jets, that's an excuse to hit someone when you're nine years old (and many parents wouldn't have considered it a very good excuse even at that age), not for a 24 y.o. man.
Quite probably if he wasn't a football player, he'd have been kicked out of school. But, of course, we've longed learned there is a very different set of rules for collegiate athletes and regular students when it comes to the law.
Finally, as to being teased by the other players on the Jets, that's an excuse to hit someone when you're nine years old (and many parents wouldn't have considered it a very good excuse even at that age), not for a 24 y.o. man.
7
Geno got what he deserves. They should have waived him instead.
6
Great !
You win the internet for today...
You win the internet for today...
GS is certainly done with the Jets and probably with the league. If the journalist that composed this piece has been at all accurate, Gino is a completely selfish social idiot. If Ene hadn't broken his jaw the team would probably have applauded his punch.
Do you think any of the players on the Jets have a shred of respect for Gino now? This piece makes me dislike him myself. It would shock me if a man with his apparent character could carry a team deep into the playoffs.
Do you think any of the players on the Jets have a shred of respect for Gino now? This piece makes me dislike him myself. It would shock me if a man with his apparent character could carry a team deep into the playoffs.
6
Indeed, these instinct driven circus performers are primitive, unpredictable, very dangerous. Clearly, the days of the NFL are limited. The people are frightened..
1
The point is not to be violent, simply not to be violent.
2
Smith stiffs a guy trying to right by his hometown, a guy who makes a fraction of what he does...and people wonder why IK punched him. Considering Smith's overwhelming sense of entitlement, the question might be why someone didn't hit him sooner.
12
Nice to the NFL teams and the league have their priorities straight.
1
Spin never outlasts the truth. We've had round 1 - and now round 2 - and the good news is that both Smith and IK get the same chance we all get - to focus on today and be as good a person as they can be putting the past further behind them.
3
The key word is "respect." It means so many different things to different people.
To many football players it means I have every right to break your jaw. Gene Smith did not deserve to have his jaw broken regardless of what the writer says.
To many football players it means I have every right to break your jaw. Gene Smith did not deserve to have his jaw broken regardless of what the writer says.
3
Enemkpali put his heart into the instructional camp, and Smith stomped on it. Smith is the one who should be released. He showed a lack of respect and cannot be trusted to keep his word. Smith is not dedicated to the Jets, he's dedicated to Smith. The Jets need to test these guys for emotional maturity.
10
I remember the sports world, the NBA Commissioner, and America having a different response when Letrell Sprewell had his hands around his head coach's neck for like one second. So why the different response? You know why. Yes you do. And it can be traced back to slavery.
1
It's good to know that the young man is a perennial victim who is simply misunderstood. Too bad the Times couldn't make time to interview Smith or that jerk of a police officer. Would have been illuminating to hear their lame excuses for provoking a good egg.
2
[[M2Connell Port Huron, Michigan
It's good to know that the young man is a perennial victim who is simply misunderstood. Too bad the Times couldn't make time to interview Smith. Would have been illuminating to hear their lame excuses for provoking a good egg.]]
Yes. It would have been good to hear from Smith (annual salary $1.25 million) why he didn't pay his $600 debt and why he let his team mate suffer locker room abuse and whether he took pleasure in seeing his team mate abused.
It's good to know that the young man is a perennial victim who is simply misunderstood. Too bad the Times couldn't make time to interview Smith. Would have been illuminating to hear their lame excuses for provoking a good egg.]]
Yes. It would have been good to hear from Smith (annual salary $1.25 million) why he didn't pay his $600 debt and why he let his team mate suffer locker room abuse and whether he took pleasure in seeing his team mate abused.
3
Could have been avoided so easily: "Sorry man, I couldn't make it but here's the cash you laid out" Done. Over. The right thing to do and would have put this in the past. But no. Smith has to dog IK for an extended period. Watch him get laughed at and disrespected by his teammates. For what?
IK shouldn't have hit him - an act of passion he needs to get a handle on - but I lay this encounter at Smith's feet. He never should have let go this far or this long. Thats not the right thing to do - and not what someone calling himself a "leader" would do.
IK shouldn't have hit him - an act of passion he needs to get a handle on - but I lay this encounter at Smith's feet. He never should have let go this far or this long. Thats not the right thing to do - and not what someone calling himself a "leader" would do.
13
Sounds like Smith was looking for a guy to clean his clock and found a good one
6
" I think he learned a lot from that experience, as unfortunate as it was.”
How can anyone make that statement after he just did it again and hit his teammate?
It clearly shows how far the football establishment will cover for a skilled player, notwithstanding his history as a dangerous menace.
How can anyone make that statement after he just did it again and hit his teammate?
It clearly shows how far the football establishment will cover for a skilled player, notwithstanding his history as a dangerous menace.
NFL and NBA are great American institutions whose individual teams and players are driven by career success. That means hiring those who will likely ensure success. Often, players are street thugs with virtually no social skills outside those of the street, which is to say, no social skills. By giving these people millions of dollars to use their street skills to help teams succeed is like pouring gasoline on a fire. Many of these street thugs waste and misuse their earnings and then, when their short-lived professional career is over, they often revert to their original state of thuggery. The number of felons arrested for violent crimes is extraordinary in the NFL and NBA. Why we don't see this in other sports is something we should study.
2
IK is not being tried because Geno did not press charges. If he had all would have come out in court and you do not take a team mate to court. If so, your other team mates would not appreciate it. Locker room problems are not addressed in court.
1
they say the apple doesn't fall far from the trees but in this case a grade 5 hurricane must've blown it across the country
OK. This explains everything. Eneemkpali is really the victim. Twice! Makes me want to support the NFL.
Why has he not been charged with assault as any one so struck on the street would have been. The old boy network??
Guess he gets a reward for further incapacitating the jets.
Guess he gets a reward for further incapacitating the jets.
There are mitigating circumstances on each side of this story. Geno misses a football camp he promised to attend, for a legitimate reason. But, he doesn't call or reimburse his teammate. And this is well enough known by other Jets teammates that IK is being teased/goaded on. Sounds like a recipe for disaster. To me, Geno comes out on the wrong side of this equation. And if he's fool enough to mess with a big man that bench presses 365 pounds without any effort, too bad for him. I will loosely follow IK's career to see if he really is the upstanding citizen he was made out to be in this article. As for Geno, perhaps a long rest is just what he needs, as his impact in the NFL was not quite the one predicted for him. p.s.; I'm a Giants fan.
3
A sucker punch is a sucker punch is a sucker punch. Means you hit someone when he wasn't looking or didn't expect it. 'Nuf said.
3
I'd guess Gino threw three punches first but they were wide of the mark
1
The original, widespread reporting on this story was that Enemkpali had 'sucker punched' Smith. A training camp fight--not at all uncommon--had gotten a little out of control, and the only noteworthy thing about it was that it ended up with the Jets QB missing the first games of the season.
Subsequent stories, this included, make Smith look like the jerk: Smith seems to have taunted Enemkpali, and gotten punched out as a result. I'd be curious to hear Smith's side of the story, too. But personally I think Enemkpali sounds like a good kid and Geno Smith got what he deserved. This story does a really good job of painting the anguish of a guy who asked a favor of his QB, got humiliated when Smith stood the town up, and had to further endure getting taunted by Smith and his teammates about covering a few incidental expenses.
Other commenters who are asking why this wasn't reported to the police, you might as well ask why IK didn't take his $600 claim to Small Claims Court.
Subsequent stories, this included, make Smith look like the jerk: Smith seems to have taunted Enemkpali, and gotten punched out as a result. I'd be curious to hear Smith's side of the story, too. But personally I think Enemkpali sounds like a good kid and Geno Smith got what he deserved. This story does a really good job of painting the anguish of a guy who asked a favor of his QB, got humiliated when Smith stood the town up, and had to further endure getting taunted by Smith and his teammates about covering a few incidental expenses.
Other commenters who are asking why this wasn't reported to the police, you might as well ask why IK didn't take his $600 claim to Small Claims Court.
9
Just the Jets bein' the Jets...
2
Geno Smith is as dumb off the field as he is on it. You don't mess with guys who "bench 365" effortlessly. Geno Smith is an idiot.
21
Who's the idiot, Geno Smith for allegedly messing with Enemkpali, or you for assuming that Smith "messed" with him?
1
You put everything in perspective and gave me a good laugh. Thanks!
2
This is American society at its best: Might makes right. This is working out well for us all over the world. Heck, if you rub us the wrong way or even look like you might, we will just torch you.
1
Pro sports is for idiots.
Period.
Period.
7
I suspect that many NFL players, and more than a few in the Jets lockerroom, will secretly respect Enemkpali for punching someone who had repeatedly disrespected him. I'm all for decency and self restraint, but sometimes the bully needs to get clocked. My guess: Enemkpali will be in the NFL longer than Geno Smith.
31
If it's true that Smith put his finger in Enemkpali's face…well, you just don't do that. The only thing more inflammatory would have been if Smith had insulted Enemkpali's mother. The finger in the face…don't do it.
Neither of them will be in the league long but not because of the issues discussed in this article. Neither one is a very good player. Rex can't pass up any opportunity to get his fat face on TV, that's all this is about.
IK better get some help for his temper or he's gonna end up in jail. Either way, he won't be in the NFL for long. Too small and too stupid.
IK better get some help for his temper or he's gonna end up in jail. Either way, he won't be in the NFL for long. Too small and too stupid.
Don't understand the sympathetic tone or the length of this article. Admittedly I skimmed it. Why isn't he being charged with assault?
12
I take it no one reported it to the police.
2
Suggest your read the article carefully, and then comment - there is a lot more to this story then "the punch". I for one wish Enemkpali lots of success in with his new team
My guess he will be around the NFL long after Geno Smith will be just another failed Jet Quarterback - he lacks the leadership qualities which are essential to be a successful Quarterback.
Ary Kempler
My guess he will be around the NFL long after Geno Smith will be just another failed Jet Quarterback - he lacks the leadership qualities which are essential to be a successful Quarterback.
Ary Kempler
2
Geno stuck a finger in his face. Technically that's assault.
1
IK probably did Geno the biggest favor of his "career". If there was anything Smith needed, it was a good punch in the face. I hope he learns from this one.
15
Why haven't the police or DA taken an interest? This is an assault! In contrast, this article is almost a puff piece, Is the writer a Bill's fan?
12
Unless Smith presses charges (which I guarantee you he won't) then there is nothing the police or DA can do in this particular situation. It's stunning to me how ignorant people are at times as to how the judicial system works.
1
If no one presses charges, then there'll be no case.
1
You can click on most of the author names on the site and see their bios.
[[Ben Shpigel is a sports reporter for The New York Times, covering the New York Jets since 2011. Previously, Mr. Shpigel had covered the New York Yankees since 2010 and, before that, the Mets since 2005.
Before joining The Times, Mr. Shpigel was a staff writer for The Dallas Morning News from 2003 to 2005. He began his journalism career with an internship with The News Journal in Wilmington, Del., in the summer of 2000 and later interned and worked part-time for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution from 2001 to 2002.]]
[[Ben Shpigel is a sports reporter for The New York Times, covering the New York Jets since 2011. Previously, Mr. Shpigel had covered the New York Yankees since 2010 and, before that, the Mets since 2005.
Before joining The Times, Mr. Shpigel was a staff writer for The Dallas Morning News from 2003 to 2005. He began his journalism career with an internship with The News Journal in Wilmington, Del., in the summer of 2000 and later interned and worked part-time for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution from 2001 to 2002.]]
If the origins of the dispute are to be believed it is my prediction that Geno Smith's career will be over before IK's. No team will want him as a presence in the locker room.
Geno Smith was hoping to be the leader of the Jets but a leader on a football team, or anywhere else, doesn't drag his feet reimbursing a teammate for expenses that he incurred because he couldn't honor his commitment to a charity event. A real leader would have immediately reimbursed IK and donated an extra $1,000 on top of it to the charity as a way of saying sorry.
That simple little act would have resulted in Geno earning far more respect from his teammates than anything he could have done on the field during pre-season.
Geno Smith was hoping to be the leader of the Jets but a leader on a football team, or anywhere else, doesn't drag his feet reimbursing a teammate for expenses that he incurred because he couldn't honor his commitment to a charity event. A real leader would have immediately reimbursed IK and donated an extra $1,000 on top of it to the charity as a way of saying sorry.
That simple little act would have resulted in Geno earning far more respect from his teammates than anything he could have done on the field during pre-season.
61
Why isn't this overmuscled goon in court on an assault charge?
7
So he punched someone over 600 dollars and may have ended the players season and the article is sympathetic to him and nasty to Geno. He punched a cop and it was cops fault now he breaks a jaw and it was the others fault. Nothing from Genos side. His friend died and he went to funeral. Like to see this article if he punched Eli manning.
15
It's not so much about the money but all about respect. You just don't disrespect people and expect to be respected. Geno Smith will have a hard time being a positive presence in the locker room or the field. Quarterbacks have lost their credibility for less, my guess is that Geno has none. Mark Sanchez accomplished more and was ditched for less so what are the expectations for Geno?
It probaby was the cop's fsult. It usually is.
One side note to TM's interpretation: This article says nothing of Smith's friend dying, or of Smith attending a funeral. It says a friend had a bike accident.
1
In the article "Raised to Be Respectful, Ikemefuna Enemkpali Lets a Dispute Get the Better of Him" by Ben Shipgel, it seems to me that each time Ik got mixed up in a fight he was antagonized or harassed by another. It also seems as if each event is blown out of proportion or the whole story is not told truthfully. In each fight or dispute someone is testing his patience which always seems to run out at the perfect moment.
7
Prime lesson in football: Never mess with the red shirt.
A shame. It seems that Smith was the "punk"...
A shame. It seems that Smith was the "punk"...
20
This kid claims he is not a thug yet he has drilled two people - one a cop.
Sounds like a humble, respectful young man.
Sounds like a humble, respectful young man.
21
Would you call Frank Sinatra , Norman Mailer or Jerry Lee Lewis 'thugs' ? I believe they punched a lot more people than this kid has.
There is no excuse for what Enemkpali did. Stupid, ridiculous, self-destructive. A man who cannot control his temper and violence should be ashamed. BUT, that being said and done, Smith would not do him the courtesy of telling him he couldn't come to the camp and a guy being paid millions can't reimburse a teammate $600 for the inconvenience and humiliation he paid him. What kind of person is that?
46
I guess you don't watch a lot of football, eh Woody? If Smith's jaw hadn't broken--the punch wouldn't have even made the paper.
4
[[Woody Grant San Diego
There is no excuse for what Enemkpali did. Stupid, ridiculous, self-destructive. A man who cannot control his temper and violence should be ashamed. ]]
Ha! Good one. Ndamukong Suh has a "low light" reel of bad behavior over the years. He recently signed the richest contract ever for a defensive player…$114 million with $60 million guaranteed.
There is no excuse for what Enemkpali did. Stupid, ridiculous, self-destructive. A man who cannot control his temper and violence should be ashamed. ]]
Ha! Good one. Ndamukong Suh has a "low light" reel of bad behavior over the years. He recently signed the richest contract ever for a defensive player…$114 million with $60 million guaranteed.
1
Finally an article in the NYT about football that is not the usual cliches and more importantly digs deeper to report on the individuals and stories behind the headline. Excellent work, Mr. Shpigel.
26
So if this was , lets say a newsroom, and an editor and head of the department was disrespectful to his team of editors, reporters and or other staff, and not a very good leader, if he was punched in the face by another editor on his team, and his jaw was broken it would be ok. Even if I felt like punching him/her in the mouth because he/she said something to me that finally pushed the wrong button, it would not be acceptable. It is not acceptable in any work place whether it be a locker room or a newsroom or a hospital cafeteria for the doctors and nurses. I don't like that people think that's ok because they are athletes.
2
Much less be offered a job by another major paper within a few days.
3