When ESPN’s Elle Duncan poked fun at New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones Thursday, no one could have imagined it would lead to harsh words between a team executive, Giants fans and the SportsCenter anchor.
But a day later, a Giants executive and fans are mad at Duncan, she defended her comments, and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith ripped the Giants for calling out Duncan.
It all started Thursday, when Jones gave what some referred to at the time as a “farewell” speech. (And it did turn out to be just that; the Giants released him Friday morning.)
Jones, who has struggled this season, had been benched in favor of Tommy DeVito. He addressed his demotion with reporters, saying, “I take full responsibility for my part in not bringing more wins.”
Duncan took some shots at Jones’ comments on her “Taking the Elle” segment on Thursday’s 6 p.m. SportsCenter. She first mocked Jones for saying he had to write his thoughts down, saying “I’m sorry, you have to write this down? Didn’t you go to Duke?”
“You guys think he had this saved in his notes since like 2020?” Duncan asked. “In all seriousness, DJ, I could have saved you like 90 seconds. A rewrite: I’m sorry you paid me $108 million for one playoff win. And I look forward to reviving my career as Brock Purdy’s backup. The end.”
ESPN’s Elle Duncan on Daniel Jones’ farewell to Giants fans: “You guys think he had this saved in his notes since like 2020? In all seriousness, DJ, I could have saved you like 90 seconds. A rewrite: I’m sorry you paid me $108 million for one playoff win. And I look forward to… pic.twitter.com/CF8Ix8M9M9
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 22, 2024
Pat Hanlon, senior vice president of communications for the Giants, took exception to Duncan’s remarks, and posted a message on X Thursday that seemed to reference the series of layoffs at ESPN in recent years: “That an ESPN personality would mock Daniel Jones’ statement today is mind boggling. Given what has happened at that company over past few years, tone deaf.”
That an #ESPN personality would mock Daniel Jones’ statement today is mind boggling. Given what has happened at that company over past few years, tone deaf.
— pat hanlon (@giantspathanlon) November 22, 2024
Duncan defended her comments Friday on First Take, saying in part, “You want to call me disrespectful to Daniel Jones? Am I more disrespectful than the Giants making him a scout team safety? Am I more disrespectful than all of those same fans that are in my mentions right now who booed him?”
Elle Duncan responds to the backlash she’s received: “You want to call me disrespectful to Daniel Jones? Am I more disrespectful than the Giants making him a scout team safety? Am I more disrespectful than all of those same fans that are in my mentions right now who booed him… pic.twitter.com/G8uJlmP0FJ
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 22, 2024
Smith defended his ESPN colleague and did not pull any punches, telling the Giants to “shut the hell up,” and calling the team “awful” and “pathetic.”
“The New York Giants, respectfully, shut the hell up,” Smith said. “Y’all are awful as an organization … y’all are sorry! Y’all are pathetic! The only reason why you get away with it is because the Jets have been worse … and you’ve got the nerve to sit up there and call the network because you want to whine and moan about your ineptitude being put on public display?”
Stephen A. Smith weighs in: “The New York Giants, respectfully, shut the hell up. Y’all are awful as an organization… y’all are sorry! Y’all are pathetic! The only reason why you get away with it is because the Jets have been worse… and you’ve got the nerve to sit up there… pic.twitter.com/tvvaQp4Skc
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 22, 2024
Duncan said on First Take she thought her comments were “silly.” Were they inappropriate? No. Was she hitting a man when he’s down? Yes. But then again, Jones earns huge money to deal with that find of media criticism.
[First Take]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.