Jets' Gardner says Patriots' Jones hit him in 'private parts' after play
New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner has to "ice up" after he says New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones intentionally hit him in the "private parts."
"He reached his hand up to try to get me to help him up. And I just moved his hand out the way. He get up, he just come up to me like 'good job,' but while he saying that, he hit me in my private parts," Gardner said, per SNY.
Gardner added that Jones was "trying to prevent me from having kids in the future," according to The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt.
The interaction happened during a quarterback sneak. Tempers began to flare as the AFC East opponents fought for positioning during the short-yardage play.
This video surfaced earlier of Sauce Gardner shoving #Patriots QB Mac Jones after the play...
- JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) September 24, 2023
If Mac Jones did indeed hit Sauce Gardner in his private parts" then this reaction makes sense.pic.twitter.com/zY5kD1FJDO
Jones denied any intentional attack and blamed any contact on the physicality of the situation.
"Definitely a physical play," the Patriots signal-caller said, per CLNS Media. "A lot of guys are in there. It's kind of like the famous quarterback sneak that everybody does. There's all the guys on both teams are in there, so it can get pretty physical."
This isn't the first time Jones has been accused of dirty actions in games. Previous incidents include a low block on then-Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple in December 2022, a slide where Jones appeared to aim his cleat at Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker in October 2022, and an apparent grab and twist of Carolina Panthers pass-rusher Brian Burns' ankle in November 2021.
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