Jets QB Geno Smith: I never owed money to man who broke my jaw
Smith, the former Jets starting QB who was sidelined after a sucker punch, will share the field with the man who broke his jaw Thursday.
By
Ryan Wilson
•
1 min read
Geno Smith was the Jets' starting quarterback heading into 2015, but a sucker punch before the season by then-teammate IK Enemkpali left Smith with a broken jaw. Ryan Fitzpatrick moved up the depth chart while Smith recovered and nine weeks later, the Jets are 5-3 and one of the NFL's biggest surprises.
On Thursday, the Jets host the Bills, which means Smith and Enemkpali, who signed with Buffalo shortly after the Jets released him, will be on the same field for the first time since the sucker punch. Originally, the story went, Enemkpali became angry because Smith owed him $600, but this week Smith said that was never the case.
"I didn't owe him, no. That's the biggest misconception in America," Smith said, via Newsday.
Asked why he never set the record straight, Smith said, "Because I don't make statements. I don't owe anybody anything."
Smith also didn't elaborate as to why Enemkpali may have punched him.
"It's nothing that has to be explained. The story's already written," Smith said. "I'm not here to make statements about that. I'm really not. I'm more focused on football. I have a normal life that I live. I'm not worried about IK."
Good thing because Bills coach Rex Ryan, who coached the Jets from 2009-14, has named Enemkpali a team captain for Thursday's game.
Smith's reaction, which came after practice: "I don't know why you guys are surprised. I really don't. I don't think you are surprised. No one should be surprised."
The exchange with reporters continued.
Smith: "I don't take it personally, if that's what you're asking."
Question: "Why not?"
Smith: "Why would I?"
Question: Well, Enemkpali punched you in the face.
Smith: "Next question."
Smith said he's uncertain if he will talk to Enemkpali but has no hard feelings for him or Ryan.
"I mean, how can I feel some type of way about somebody else's decision?" Smith said of Enemkpali being named a captain. "You've got to know this business. He's the Bills' head coach. I don't hate anyone. I don't hate him, I don't hate IK. It's whatever to me, honestly. It's like 'Okay? Big deal.'
"I don't care who's a captain or coaching what. If there was some type of shot that was supposed to be [aimed at me], I didn't get that message."
