New York Giants wide receiver Golden Tate has issued an apology after several recent instances of “unacceptable” behavior.
“If you know me, if you know my game, I play with a lot of emotion, a lot of passion,” Tate said. “I just got caught up in the moment. I was wrong to draw attention to myself. I take full responsibility for that. I handled it the wrong way and, again, brought negative attention to our organization. It was something that won’t happen again.”
The apology is Tate’s first time speaking out since yelling “Throw me the ball!” into the camera during an on-field outburst against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 2nd. This resulted in him being benched during Sunday’s game against the Washington Football Team. Tate also liked a tweet asking the Giants to cut him from the team.
“I was definitely disappointed, but there are consequences for your actions,” Tate said in regards to being benched. “My actions were unacceptable, and I apologized to the team, GM, the coaches, the offense, and I’m excited to move forward.
Coach Joe Judge had Tate working with the scout team as a result of his outburst, an experience that did not bother Tate.
“But I did have fun on scout team. That was fun. I enjoyed it. Got a chance to make some plays and get the defense ready. I enjoyed it.”
The 32-year-old signed a four-year, $37 million deal last year, and while the Giants did say that they were open to trading Tate at the end of the contract, they do not plan on letting him go anytime soon.
Despite liking the tweet encouraging him to be cut, he says that he is content with the Giants.
“I plan to honor my contract the best I possibly can,” Tate said. “Like I said earlier, I want to be here. I love this organization, what it represents and the direction we’re headed in, and hopefully I’m a part of it.”
