New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple was fined by the team for sending out tweets during Sunday’s 30-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Apple, who was inactive for the fourth consecutive game, said he understood the rules regarding using social media during games.
“I wasn’t confused. It was just a mistake by me,” Apple said.
The amount of Apple’s fine was undisclosed. He hopes to play in this Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He has taken reps on defense and special teams this week in practice but hasn’t been told whether or not he will play.
Apple didn’t want to talk about the last four weeks he hasn’t played, insisting that he wants to focus on Philadelphia.
“Just going about my day as a professional,” Apple said, also saying he’s reached out to veterans like Brandon Marshall and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie for guidance on how to handle the rough spot he’s currently in.
Apple didn’t play against Dallas because, according to interim head coach/defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, he didn’t receive enough reps in practice last week. He wanted to play. Apple tweeted during the game that he was healthy despite being listed on the team’s injury report with hip/back injuries.
Apple also retweeted an Ohio State-related website after Cowboys running back Rod Smith sealed the game with an 81-yard touchdown run. Apple and Smith were teammates on the Buckeyes’ 2014 College Football Playoff national championship team.
Apple didn’t speak to the media after the game, saying he wasn’t allowed to talk. His teammates were unaware of the tweets until asked about them on Monday. Rodgers-Cromartie said the tweeting wasn’t a good idea.
Apple violated an NFL rule when he tweeted during Sunday’s game:
“The use of social media or networking sites (including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and similar vehicles) by coaches, players, and other club football operations personnel is prohibited on game day (including halftime) beginning ninety (90) minutes before kickoff until after the post-game locker room is open to the media, and players have first fulfilled their obligation to be available to the news media who are at the game.
“No updates are permitted to be posted by a player himself or anyone representing him during this prohibited time on his Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or any other social media account. Doing so may subject a player to League discipline.”
Apple will not face additional fines by the league because a player cannot be fined twice for the same offense.
– Curtis Rawls is a Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage and covers the NFL and the New York Giants. Please like and follow on Facebook and Twitter. Curtis can be followed on Twitter @CuRawls203.
