New Video: Patriots' Mac Jones Explains 'Private Parts' Incident With Jets' Sauce Gardner
FOXBORO — On the latest episode of “As the New England Patriots Turn,” quarterback Mac Jones stands accused of attempting to ruin the future familial aspirations of New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner in the Pats 15-10 victory over the Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
And in true NFL fashion, the videographic evidence to support such a claim is … at best … inconclusive.
Gardner sent the national NFL circuits into a frenzy on Sunday night when alleging that Jones intentionally hit him in his "private parts" following a brief, physical encounter early in the fourth quarter.
Conversely, Jones seemed to have a different recollection of the confrontation during his weekly appearance on WEEI’s Jones and Mego on Monday evening — one that is certainly less malicious, and more predicated on respect.
"Sauce is one of the best corners in the NFL,” Jones said. “I have a lot of respect for him. On that play, nothing was intentional. Just trying to get up and go back to the huddle."
The conflict began as Jones was trying to gain a first down on third-and-1 from the Jets 45-yard line early in the game’s final quarter. As he pushed forward, Jets defenders filled the middle to stop the Pats’ quarterback’s progress. Though Jones continued to keep his legs moving, New York linebacker C.J. Mosley looked to end the play by slamming the quarterback to the ground.
As Jones attempted to get to his feet, he reached his hand out to Gardner, who brushed it aside. Gardner then said that when Jones got up, the quarterback bumped into him while striking him below the belt. Gardner, in turn, retaliated by shoving Jones back to the MetLife Stadium turf.
Sauce Gardner (1)of the New York Jets, pushes Mac Jones (10) of the New England Patriots, during the second half at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 24, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
USA Today
Fueled by social media backlash, several with NFL fandom began to clamor for a league investigation into Jones’ actions during Sunday’s skirmish. In fact, Gardner offered a video clip, which he seemingly felt to be evidence to support his claim.
Gardner — who was seen barley flinching after Jones’ alleged assault on his nether region — painted a different picture of the “power” behind the “hit” when speaking with reporters in the aftermath of his team’s 15th straight loss to their division rivals.
“My stomach is hurting a little bit, you know what I mean?” Gardner said. “I don’t even know what to say. I do have to ice up, he’s trying to stop me from having kids in the future. He’s tripping.”
Adding yet another layer of scrutiny, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini offered a closer, yet still indeterminate, view of the contact between Gardner and Jones.
Conversely, Jones said after the game that that he was just trying to get the first down on a quarterback sneak, while deeming any contact he made with Gardner as coincidental.
“"Um, no," Jones said when asked if he gave Gardner a low blow. “Definitely a physical play. A lot of guys were in there. It’s kind of like the famous quarterback sneak that everybody does. All the guys on both teams are in there and it can get pretty physical.”
Jones did, however, concede that the manner in which he continued to push for the first down may have contributed to the frustration of the Jets defenders — a lesson he intends to put into practice for the future.
“That’s something I have to learn from — getting my pads a little bit lower so I can get it [the first down] and not get held up,” he added.
Ultimately, the conspiratorial nature — complete with Zapruder Film-like breakdowns of each grainy, unsettlingly-angled frame — has created a slight aura of ridiculousness surrounding this incident.
Still, it is only fair to state that Jones’ previous brushes with similar accusations has done little to earn him the benefit of the doubt from his detractors — or even objective observers.
Accordingly, he has found himself circled by controversy on a handful of occasions since taking the reins of the Patriots offense in 2021. The 25-year-old was fined for his controversial slide-block on then Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple in the team’s Week 16 loss at Gillette Stadium.
As a rookie, he was accused of intentionally holding the ankle of Carolina Panthers linebacker Brian Burns while attempting to make a tackle during a November meeting between the two teams.
In October 2022, Jones was admonished by Chicago Bears defender Jaquan Brisker for a dangerously-high leg kick during a slide to avoid a tackle. He subsequently received a fine of $10,609 for unsportsmanlike conduct when he flipped a ball into the midsection of Buffalo Bills defensive lineman A.J. Epenesa during a Week 13 loss.
Whether his intentions were truly nefarious or not, Jones may once again find himself in the crosshairs of the NFL offices, depending on their findings with relation to this latest escapade.
Until then, the hot take machine will certainly continue to churn.
