Every season during NFL training camps, teams get into scuffles and it rarely makes headlines. But when it involves a star player, and causes injury, that's when it gets out of hand. New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith will miss six to 10 weeks with two fractures in his jaw, which he suffered in a locker room altercation.
The dispute was over $600 between Smith and teammate IK Enemkpali. Smith had received a $600 plane ticket from Enemkpali to go to a football camp on July 11th. The Jets quarterback did not appear at the camp, and according to sources, it's because someone close to Smith passed away days prior.
Enemkpali demanded that Smith refund him the $600 for not showing up, which Smith said he would, but hadn't done as of Tuesday. His teammate confronted him in the locker room and sucker-punched the starting quarterback in the jaw.
Sources say there was tension in a conversation between the two at the start of camp, but Smith was trying to settle everything.
Enemkpali was drafted in the sixth round in 2014, but was released immediately following the incident. Head coach Todd Bowles says it is up to Smith on whether or not he wants to press charges. Bowles repeatedly stated in a press conference how childish this incident is, and that the team does not tolerate behavior like this.
Enemkpali apologized to the team in a public statement, saying that he should've walked away from the situation.
Bowles was informed of this altercation by a trainer, and said that Smith did not counter with a punch. Despite that, Bowles was still angry with his QB, saying "it takes two to tango".
Well, two tangoed on Tuesday, one was let go and the other will be on the shelf to begin the regular season. The Jets are expected to turn to No. 2 quarterback, rookie Bryce Petty to take over as the starter.
The dispute was over $600 between Smith and teammate IK Enemkpali. Smith had received a $600 plane ticket from Enemkpali to go to a football camp on July 11th. The Jets quarterback did not appear at the camp, and according to sources, it's because someone close to Smith passed away days prior.
Enemkpali demanded that Smith refund him the $600 for not showing up, which Smith said he would, but hadn't done as of Tuesday. His teammate confronted him in the locker room and sucker-punched the starting quarterback in the jaw.
Sources say there was tension in a conversation between the two at the start of camp, but Smith was trying to settle everything.
Enemkpali was drafted in the sixth round in 2014, but was released immediately following the incident. Head coach Todd Bowles says it is up to Smith on whether or not he wants to press charges. Bowles repeatedly stated in a press conference how childish this incident is, and that the team does not tolerate behavior like this.
Enemkpali apologized to the team in a public statement, saying that he should've walked away from the situation.
Bowles was informed of this altercation by a trainer, and said that Smith did not counter with a punch. Despite that, Bowles was still angry with his QB, saying "it takes two to tango".
Well, two tangoed on Tuesday, one was let go and the other will be on the shelf to begin the regular season. The Jets are expected to turn to No. 2 quarterback, rookie Bryce Petty to take over as the starter.
