A social media post from Sauce Gardner has the New York Jets cornerback facing accusations of insecurity and comparisons to an online men’s community defined by its inability to attract women.
Derived from the term ‘involuntarily celibate,’ incel men are known to congregate in online forums to alternately criticize and dismiss the objects of their romantic desires. Often incel men refer to women as ‘females’ in a perceived attempt to reduce the opposite sex to a reproductive role.
So when Gardner wrote about ‘females’ in a recent X post, fans were quick to make a connection.
The exchange began with Gardner remarking on a Buffalo Bills fan, who was pictured holding a sign at a recent game.
‘Josh,’ the woman wrote, presumably to Bills quarterback Josh Allen. ‘I just got married, but I’d leave my husband for you!’
A social media post from Sauce Gardner has the Jets corner facing accusations of insecurity
Gardner’s post led to accusations of insecurity and comparisons to the incel community
The sign added the postscript: ‘He’s right here.’
The 24-year-old Gardner responded to the photo on X.
‘Most females these days will call you insecure if you get mad at this behavior,’ he wrote.
Fans were less than receptive.
‘The best corner in the NFL is an incel,’ one fan wrote.
Another claimed ‘that incel Grift pays good for an athlete to be doing it.’
‘Sauce man why are we calling them ”females” like they’re a different species,’ another fan complained.
Many others were supportive of Gardner, who is preparing to face the visiting Denver Broncos on Sunday.
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay agreed wholeheartedly, writing: ‘That’s facts!!’
‘That’s immediate divorce,’ one fan wrote on X.
‘I hope she planned her own ride home,’ another added.
The debate has not clouded Gardner’s impressive start to the season for the 2-1 Jets.
The University of Cincinnati product has been targeted in coverage only 10 times, according to Pro Football Focus. In other words, quarterbacks are avoiding the former Defensive Rookie of the Year selection.
