Giants right tackle Evan Neal lashes out at his own fans for booing him after nightmare start to the season: ‘Why would a lion concern himself with the opinion of a sheep?’

Giants right tackle Evan Neal has responded to boos from New York’s fans during its embarrassing 24-3 loss by throwing some harsh words back at the fans.

Neal has struggled through the Giants’ poor start to the season and criticism appeared to tip him over the edge as he fired back at his own fans. 

‘Why would a lion concern himself with the opinion of a sheep?’ Neal told NJ.com in response to a question about the boos Wednesday.

‘The person that’s commenting on my performance, what does he do? Flip hot dogs and hamburgers somewhere?’ 

Monday Night Football’s broadcast also caught Neal appearing to egg on the boos from fans during the loss to Seattle.

‘Because that just further shows that people are fair-weather,’ Neal continued. 

‘A lot of fans are bandwagoners. I mean, I get it. They want to see us perform well. And I respect all of that. But no one wants us to perform well more than we do.

‘And how can you say you’re really a fan when we’re out there battling our asses off — and the game wasn’t going well — but the best you can do is boo your home team? So how much of a fan are you, really?’ 

The Giants’ offensive line gave up 11 sacks in the loss on Monday, 10 of which were suffered by starting quarterback Daniel Jones.

Jones now holds the honor of being the first NFL QB sacked 10 times in a single game since 1985. 

Neal himself did not surrender a sack, although he did allow six hurries and seven pressures.

‘Go watch the film,’ Neal said. ‘At the end of the day, I know I’m making improvements. It doesn’t matter what the outside may say or anything. You ask the guys around me and the coaching staff. I know I’m improving. And I’m going to continue to improve throughout the duration of the season.’ 

‘Most critics really don’t understand the game of football to the level that we understand it in this building,’ he continued.

‘So why would a lion concern himself with the opinion of a sheep? I’m just going to focus on Evan — and getting better. I honestly do not care what anybody has to say about Evan Neal, because they’re going to talk anyway.

NY’s offensive line allowed gave up 11 sacks during the embarrassing loss to the Seahawks

‘At the end of the day, I put a lot of good things on film. But people are going to go and find the bad reps, and that’s what they’re going to highlight. That’s what they’re going to put out there. I can’t control that. So why should I care?’

He quickly apologized for his comments on X, posting: ‘I am wrong for lashing out at the fans who are just as passionate and frustrated as I am,’ Neal wrote. ‘I let my frustrations in my play + desire to win get the best of me. I had no right to make light of anyone’s job and I deeply regret the things I said. 

‘We are working day in and day out to grow as a team and this was an unnecessary distraction. I apologize.’ 

Neal was selected by the Giants with the No. 7 overall pick in last year’s draft.