The good times are rolling in the Big Easy. And they are coming at the expense of Voorhees, N.J. native and former New York Giants first-round draft pick Eli Apple.
At one of the many Mardi Gras parades Sunday in New Orleans, someone tweeted a photo with the following caption: “Man I love Louisiana lmao @EliApple.” In the photo, a woman is holding a sing which reads “This corner is better than Eli Apple.”
Why are folks in New Orleans taking a bite out of of Apple?
The former Saints cornerback, now with the Cincinnati Bengals, turned heads last month by tearing into fans of both the Saints and Giants on social media.
“Idk which fan base I hate more,” Apple tweeted. “Prolly the saints but It’s close wit the giants it’s a toss up.”
Apple, who played football at Eastern Regional High School in Voorhees Township, was the Giants’ 10th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. During the 2018 season, he was traded to the Saints for a 2019 fourth-round draft pick and a 2020 seventh-round draft pick. He left New Orleans as a free agent in 2020 and had stint with the Carolina Panthers before landing with the Bengals ahead of the 2021 campaign. This season, Apple started in 15 regular-season games for the Bengals, collecting two interceptions and 49 tackles.
MORE NFL
– NFL rumors: Sean Payton replacing Troy Aikman at FOX hits Amazon-sized roadblock
– NFL schedule 2022: Giants, Jets, Eagles possibly in line for international games
After Apple helped the Bengals beat the Kansas City Chiefs, 27-24, in the AFC Championship Game, the cornerback was talking trash on social media. He mocked Chiefs All-Pro wideout Tyreek Hill and fellow receiver Mecole Hardman, offering tickets to Super Bowl LVI, where the receivers could watch as Apple started at cornerback for the Bengals against the Los Angeles Rams.
And that’s where it all went downhill for Apple, who gave up the game-winning touchdown to Cooper Kupp with 1:25 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl as Los Angeles beat Cincinnati, 23-20.
Several NFL players took to Twitter after the game to mock Apple. Hardman first tweeted “Wish you was a better corner bro then the game winning touchdown wouldn’t been scored on you” at Apple, and then followed that up with a video of his own Super Bowl ring with the comment “It’s cool big bro! You might get one of these one day but in the mean time just go get better at your craft.” Hill sent multiple tweets with the crying laughing emoji.
Saints defensive back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson — a former Apple teammate from New Orleans — tweeted “that’s a big apple to eat” and Saints receiver Michael Thomas tweeted “Eli going to Eli.” Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman also tweeted an apple emoji, mocking the cornerback too.
Apple tried to turn the page 10 days ago with an Instagram post acknowledging his failures, and the haters who want to keep on hating.
All Glory To God For Blessing Me Immensely This Season To Share the Field With The Best Group Of Men Ive Been Around. Truly Grateful To My Teammates, Who Dey Nation, And My Coaches for Embracing Me As Family. Proud of The Rigorous Work We Put In To Make This Season A Special One. Yall ReAwoke A Fire In Me That Will Only Make Me Stronger and Im Beyond Excited To Unleash That Demon Again to Exponential Levels On Any Opp That Lines Up Across From Me Next Season 🖤🐅
But based on what we saw Sunday at Mardi Gras, the good folks of New Orleans have no plans to let Apple off the hook any time soon.
(NJ Advance Media’s Zack Rosenblatt contributed to this report.)
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.
Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.
