New York Giants Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence took heat for leaving the room after the team’s 49-17 shellacking down in Dallas on Sunday afternoon.
Tommy DeVito, an undrafted rookie, had to stand at a podium and answer questions after the game today. He only had to do so because we expect the quarterback to do so.
But does Tommy DeVito represent the direction of the franchise? No. He does not.
Dexter Lawrence does. He…
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) November 13, 2023
On Monday, before his Zoom session with the media, Lawrence wasted no time defending his actions.
“Before any questions, let me get this straight,” he said. “It’s ridiculous to be tweeted about yesterday when I am available to you guys every day. Yesterday, I wanted to go see my family because of my birthday. That’s ridiculous. It had nothing to do with losing to Dallas, nothing to do with frustration, any of that.
“That’s ridiculous for someone to be sensitive because I wanted to go see my family. That’s all I’ve got to say about that. I’ll answer your questions as best as I can, but that’s just ridiculous.”
Lawrence is one of the few Giants who is getting any league recognition this season and will likely be their only representative come postseason award time.
Dexter Lawrence: highest-graded player aged 25 & under in the NFL this season – 92.3 😤 pic.twitter.com/c43TZonPDL
— PFF NY Giants (@PFF_Giants) November 8, 2023
Lawrence continued to remind reporters that this was a special occasion in which he had his family waiting for him to celebrate his birthday.
“First of all, my teammates know who I am. They know how I feel,” said Lawrence. “I talk to you guys after every game. I’ve talked to you guys whenever you come to me after every game. This game, it was my birthday and I wanted to go see my family and be around them. That’s all it is. They don’t give us much time after the games, so that’s what I wanted to do.”
The Giants beat pool, of all groups, should know the type of person Lawrence is. He’s not the problem, here. He’s not why they are 2-8 and a laughingstock. He’s part of the future.
