Giants Country

Dexter Lawrence Explains Why He Skipped Postgame Media After Dallas Loss

Lawrence received criticism for not speaking to reporters after Sunday's loss to the Cowboys, but he had a very legitimate reason for doing so.

Patricia Traina

Dexter Lawrence Explains Why He Skipped Postgame Media After Dallas Loss
Dexter Lawrence Explains Why He Skipped Postgame Media After Dallas Loss /
In this story:

When it comes to cooperative players in the New York Giants locker room, you probably won't find any more cooperative than defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, who is always readily available and who tries his best to give thoughtful answers to questions.

Yet Lawrence received some backlash following Sunday's 49-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys for declining to speak to the media after the game.

Lawrence, who celebrated his birthday Sunday, had a reason for his actions and took umbrage to any suggestions that he was ducking the media or putting forth a bad look.

Lawrence, who uncharacteristically opened the call with a statement to clear the air before fielding questions during a Monday morning video call with reporters, said the following:

It’s ridiculous to be tweeted about yesterday when I am available to you guys every day. Yesterday I wanted to go see my family because it was my birthday. It had nothing to do with losing to Dallas, nothing to do with frustration--any of that. That’s ridiculous for someone to be sensitive because I wanted to go see my family.

When someone asked why he couldn't have taken five minutes to speak with reporters before seeing his family, Lawrence said, "I wanted to go see my family. There were a lot of them there. I would do it again. That’s all I’ve got to say about that."

Lawrence dismissed any concerns about his teammates viewing him as one of the team leaders in the wrong light.

"My teammates know who I am; they know how I feel,” Lawrence said. “I talk to you guys after every game. It was my birthday, and I wanted to go see my family and be around them. They don't give us much time after the games, so that's what I wanted to do.”

Lawrence has been more than generous with his time both during the week and after a game. His point about not having a lot of time after the game to see his family is well taken as well since players are usually encouraged to wrap up their business in the locker room as quickly as possible and board the team buses to catch a charter flight back to their home base.

That Lawrence chose to spend time with his family and friends who had gathered to see him on his birthday isn't a story, especially considering how he played and that other team leaders like inside linebacker Bobby Okereke and running back Saquon Barkley did take time to address reporters. 

Published
Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

Home/News