Mac Jones won’t be suspended despite viciously hitting Sauce Gardner, claims there wasn’t ‘anything’ intentional

Mac Jones was fined for a similar incident last year.

Mac Jones won’t be suspended despite viciously hitting Sauce Gardner, claims there wasn’t ‘anything’ intentional

Sauce Gardner (L - via Fox News) and Mac Jones (R - via Imago)

The New England Patriots game against the New York Jets wasn’t a pretty one. It was ugly, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the game wasn’t a high-scoring offensive battle like the Los Angeles Chargers-Miami Dolphins game in week 1. It was a defensive battle of attrition with both teams playing stout defense. Secondly, it had an ugly moment when Patriots QB Mac Jones hit Jets’ CB Sauce Gardner near his crotch area.

Gardner accused Jones of hitting him in the crotch after a quarterback sneak. There was contact between the two during the play and Gardner was seen shoving Jones after the sneak was completed. Jones later said that the hit wasn’t intentional and that the QB ‘has a lot of respect’ for Gardner, whom he called one of the best CBs in the league. The NFL, however, has decided not to suspend Jones following his hit on Gardner as the investigation revealed no reason for severe punishment. He might be fined though, making it the second time in as many years for hitting someone below the belt.

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“Sauce is one of the best corners in the NFL. I have a lot of respect for him.” Jones said. “On that play, nothing was intentional. I just got up and went back to the huddle, and that’s it.” Jones was accused of a similar incident last year when he was fined for a low hit on Dolphins’ CB Eli Apple, who was with the Cincinnati Bengals last year.

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When asked about his developing reputation for low blows, Jones said, “Like I said, I can’t control that stuff, I try to be really competitive and go out there and be a good teammate and compete, and come to work every day and work hard and put a lot of hours into it. I definitely care about football a lot and this game means a lot to me and it means a lot to a lot of other guys that I play with so I hope that they can see that.”

The incident did not escalate however as the game resumed quickly afterwards. The Patriots won their first game of the season whereas the Jets have lost twice in two weeks after starting their season with a win over the Buffalo Bills. The Pats will head to Dallas to play the Dallas Cowboys next Sunday. The Jets on the other hand will host the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs on the same day.

Related: Who are Derek Carr’s parents Sheryl Carr and Rodger Carr?

Former Patriots’ player Chris Long accuses Mac Jones of being a dirty player

The New England Patriots’ QB Mac Jones has been in the news for his below-the-belt hit on the New York Jets‘ CB Sauce Gardner during their game on Sunday. The isn’t the first time Jones has been accused of hitting a player on the crotch area. He had a similar incident with CB Eli Apple, who was with the Cincinnati Bengals at that time. Jones was fined for that incident.

Chris Long (L) and Mac Jones (R)
Chris Long (L – via Sports Illustrated) and Mac Jones (R – via NBC Sports Boston)

Former Patriots’ defenseman Chris Long has called Jones ‘top 5 dirtiest QB all-time.’ He took to Twitter to react to the incident writing, “When you’ve got a track record ppl stop giving u the benefit of the doubt,” Long posted on social media. “I’ll debate anyone not born in Boston circa 2000 on this. Now, I’m pulling for Mac Jones the QB. But he is a dirty dawg.”

Jones won’t be suspended for his hit, but will likely be fined. He has been developing a reputation for himself and Long seems to agree with that. The Pats will play the Dallas Cowboys at the AT&T Stadium next Sunday.

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