Annie Apple isn’t backing down from comments about the Giants’ handling of domestic violence incidents in the wake of the Josh Brown mess.

Apple, mother of Giants rookie Eli Apple, expressed concern about the Giants owner John Mara’s inexcusably poor handling of former kicker Josh Brown’s domestic violence incident. Eli expressed frustration but understanding over his mom’s comments. Apple discussed taking the stance against domestic violence in a recent Sports Illustrated column, saying despite flying to London, she didn’t watch the Giants take on the Rams after the league turned their back on what was right.

At that moment I just couldn’t cheer for a team I felt had turned its back on what was right to protect an image. It was difficult because I love my son and I’ve always been in his corner at every game, but for me, this was bigger than a game.

She was also critical of the Giants, feeling they were leaning on her son to control her comments.

But I was livid with the Giants, not just because of John Mara’s comments but I was disappointed in the organization because I felt they were leaning heavily on a 21-year-old kid in an effort to control what his mother says. That’s not fair.

Apple said she shared her own personal story of being a domestic abuse survivor to send a message to the Giants about failing to do the right thing by Molly Brown and others who’ve dealt with the issue.

I didn’t wake up one day and say, ‘hey, I think I’ll let the world in on one of the worst moments in my life.’ I did so because the NY Giants failed to adequately address the issue of domestic violence nor did they show compassion for Molly Brown. Sharing my story of domestic violence was my way of showing compassion and basic humanity to not just Molly but all the other victims and survivors of this crisis. There was no pretty way to tell the ugly truth about domestic violence.

Eli Apple denied his mother’s claim about the Giants leaning on him.

“She was a little bit upset and I didn’t have a chance to really talk to her, and I guess throughout that whole thing that’s just how she felt, but I never had a chance to talk to her or anything, so maybe that’s just an assumption of hers that she just felt in her gut,” Eli Apple said Thursday. “But it’s definitely false. Nobody’s leaning on me or anything telling me things to tell her. It’s not like that at all. I think the Giants are a class organization, and I’m just happy to be here.”

 

The comments might put Eli in an awkward position with the organization, but Annie Apple is doing a tremendous job calling out a negligent party in their handling of domestic violence. The Giants organization and Jim Mara should be embarrassed with how Brown’s case was handled. Through sharing her story and using her platform for good, Apple is fighting the NFL in an appropriate and meaningful way.

[Sports Illustrated, New York Daily News]

About Liam McGuire

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