Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell took to social media to respond to a fan who criticized him after he lost a fumble at the Washington Commanders’ 3-yard line midway through the second quarter Sunday.
Screenshots of the exchange were posted on social media, and Eagles coach Nick Sirianni acknowledged the situation Monday.
Nick Sirianni: ‘He Knows He Made a Mistake’
Sirianni confirmed that the team had a conversation with Gainwell after he responded to an Instagram direct message that said, “Hold on to the ball you f–ing bum,” following the fumble.
At halftime, Gainwell replied with, “Lil boy don’t text me.”
Screenshots of the conversation circulated on social media, and Sirianni told reporters Monday that he had addressed the incident with Gainwell.
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“Of course, we talked to Kenny about that,” Sirianni said. “These guys have some time away from us when we get into the locker room where they sit down at their locker, they do whatever is going to take their mind and just calm it.
“Should he respond to somebody that’s DM’ing him? No, he shouldn’t respond to that guy or that girl at all. And so, yes of course we talked to him about that, to be locked in and focused and not worried about outside noise. He knows he made a mistake responding back to that person.”
Gainwell, 24, was selected in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Memphis. Gainwell finished the 38-31 victory with 26 yards on seven touches and negative four rushing yards. Across seven games this season, he has 51 carries for 153 yards, averaging a career-low three yards per attempt.
Gainwell is the second running back, relieving D’Andre Swift. Philadelphia’s starter has 571 rushing yards and three touchdowns along with 28 catches, 135 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown.
“Kenny had a fumble this week, but he had an unbelievable run the week before against Miami,” Sirianni said. “I still have a lot of faith in these guys, and I still have a lot of faith in Kenny.”
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