Jordan Raanan
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The most recent in a sequence of accidents to Graham Gano has him probably being sidelined by a herniated disc in his again that's urgent up in opposition to his backbone. It may very well be the least of his issues contemplating followers are wishing loss of life upon the New York Giants' kicker.
Gano, who has been hampered by accidents the previous three seasons, revealed Thursday that he has acquired threats and had ailing will wished upon him through the years, together with after lacking a important area objective in final Sunday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
“I hear everybody else's frustration — media, followers. Shoot, ever since sports activities betting began taking place, I get folks telling me to kill myself each week,” Gano mentioned. “‘Trigger I will hit a kick that loses them cash. I will miss a kick and it loses them cash. It was the opposite day that somebody instructed me to get most cancers and die. I imply, that stuff is a part of it.
“Simply enjoying this lengthy, you are used to it by now. However with that being mentioned, I see everybody's frustration. And I am annoyed too. I simply wish to play ball. Simply continuously not having the ability to is hard. Doing all the things I can to attempt to come again and play. That's my hope.”
Gano, 38, is a veteran. He has seen all totally different variations of threats and harassment, together with letters and direct messages on social media. The Giants and NFL safety have been monitoring messages to Gano in accordance with security protocols for greater than three years.
They naturally have an impact, even when he tries to dam it out.
“No one desires to listen to that stuff,” Gano mentioned. “I feel everybody within the locker room is aware of you probably have one thing occurring to speak to anyone about it. I hope that everyone in right here would. No one desires to listen to stuff like that. I simply wish to make the followers pleased, assist the staff win video games and so not having the ability to do that's onerous.”
The revelations by Gano have been made after he was recognized with a herniated disc earlier this week. He felt some discomfort final week and thought it was merely a results of sleeping awkwardly. He went and kicked in opposition to the 49ers. The issue was exacerbated whereas lifting weights on Monday.
Gano didn't apply Wednesday or Thursday and will miss this week's sport in opposition to the Chicago Bears. Veteran Younghoe Koo would kick in his place if Gano, who mentioned he is feeling higher following an injection, cannot make it.
The accidents have begun to pile up for Gano in current seasons with the Giants. He missed time in three consecutive seasons due to well being issues and already had a stint on injured reserve this yr due to a groin damage.
It has made Gano a simple goal for offended followers.
“I actually do not reply,” he mentioned. “I strive to not see as a lot as I can. If I begin seeing that stuff, I simply shut it off. Sadly, that's a part of the sport. Lots of people will ship you stuff like that. I will get letters, I will get followers telling me that stuff to my face sport days, the DMs. “I hear [similar stories] from different guys on the staff too. It is robust. Particularly these days [with] psychological well being. It is robust however I've gotten thick pores and skin through the years. Early on it actually bothered you a large number.”
Gano's feedback come on a day the place the NFL household discovered of the obvious suicide of Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland. Gano conceded it was one thing that was talked about by gamers within the locker room on Thursday morning.
Giants coach Brian Daboll mentioned that psychological well being is repeatedly a standard subject inside the group.
“All the time. I imply, we at all times deal with psychological well being, how necessary it's,” he mentioned. “[Giants director of wellness and clinical services] Dr. Lani [Lawrence], staff therapist, does a fantastic job with that.
“You all have youngsters or folks that you just're shut with. You by no means know what anyone's going by way of. So psychological well being, notably these days, for these of you who've youngsters, that elevate, youngsters that undergo a whole lot of various things, hear a whole lot of various things and browse a whole lot of various things. It is quite a bit totally different than when most of us have been up. That is an actual factor. … That is why it's a must to have folks within the constructing, specific these days.”
