Mac Jones Not Fined for Low Blow on Sauce Gardner

Patriots' QB gets off easy after taking shot at Jets' cornerback's 'private parts'

Author:
Ralph Ventre
Publish date:
Sep 30, 2023 4:43 PM EDT

In this story:

New York Jets

New England Patriots

Mac Jones got caught playing dirty, but the National Football League is apparently looking the other way.

The New England Patriots' quarterback was seen delivering a crotch shot to New York Jets' cornerback Sauce Gardner in a scrum that occurred during the Week 3 divisional game at MetLife Stadium. In response to being violated, Gardner gave Jones a light shove before an official quickly stepped in between the two.

"He came up to me and said 'good job,' but while he's saying that he hit me in my private parts. I definitely wasn't expecting that," said Gardner following the 15-10 loss. "There's a first time for everything I guess."

Neither player was penalized on the field, and the NFL has reportedly decided to forego any disciplinary action after the fact. Citing sources, NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero said the league will not impose a fine on Jones or Gardner.

"Any discipline would've required sufficient video evidence to support Sauce Gardner's accusation. In this case, there wasn't enough," said Pelissero in a post on the social media site formerly known as Twitter.

Earlier in the week, on his X account, Gardner shared a video that appears to show the low blow by Jones but the visual evidence is somewhat inconclusive. At the very least, however, Jones seems to be guilty of an attempted love tap below the belt. The All-Pro cornerback's video post has garnered more than 24 million views as of Saturday afternoon.

After the game, Gardner recounted the activity that preceded the low blow.

"That's probably the first time that ever happened to me. He had got tackled and he reached his hand up to try to get me to help him up. I just moved his hand out the way," said Gardner.