It’s amazing how fast a story can take the world by storm. In the case of New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith, his broken jaw, broke the internet.
While people were making jokes and silly pictures of Smith’s incident, details of the altercation between Smith and former teammate IK Enemkpali were getting released.
Geno is out 6-10 weeks due to Enemkpali punching Smith in the face and breaking his jaw. The cause behind the altercation is now known and it sounds a little ridiculous for two professional football players to have a dispute over.
Following from ESPN.
The altercation in the New York Jets locker room that ended with quarterback Geno Smith suffering a broken jaw began as a dispute over $600, sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Smith, who will miss at least six to 10 weeks with two fractures in his jaw, accepted a $600 plane ticket from IK Enemkpali to appear at the reserve linebacker’s football camp in Pflugerville, Texas, according to sources. Problems arose when Smith did not show to the camp, which took place days after someone close to Smith died in a motorcycle accident in Miami, sources said.
After Smith did not attend, Enemkpali demanded that the Jets quarterback refund him the $600 he allegedly used to purchase the plane ticket. Smith told Enemkpali he would reimburse him the money, but he had not as of Tuesday morning. Enkempali confronted Smith on Tuesday about the money, and the confrontation ended in a punch and a broken jaw.
$600 bucks. That’s it. Two professional football players, had an altercation over $600. That’s all.
Jets coach Todd Bowles had the following to say about the incident. Also from ESPN.
“It was nothing to do with football. … It was very childish,” Bowles said. “He got cold-cocked … sucker punched, whatever you want to call it, in the jaw. He’s got a broken jaw, a fractured jaw.”
“The team knows it. It’s something we don’t tolerate, something we can’t stand,” Bowles said. “You don’t walk up to a man and punch him in the face.”
It’s an unfortunate incident that IK talked about after his release.
Enemkpali released a statement Tuesday afternoon saying he was sorry for his actions.
“I apologize to the Jets organization, coaches, teammates and fans,” Enemkpali said. “Geno and I let our frustration get the best of us, but I should have just walked away from the situation. I deeply regret and apologize for my actions. It was never my intention to harm anyone. I appreciate the opportunity I had with the Jets.”
