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Giants Jihad Ward Reveals His Side of the “Hard Knocks” Aaron Rodgers Interaction

Ward reveals what "Hard Knocks" cameras didn't show.

Patricia Traina

Giants Jihad Ward Reveals His Side of the “Hard Knocks” Aaron Rodgers Interaction
Giants Jihad Ward Reveals His Side of the “Hard Knocks” Aaron Rodgers Interaction /
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New York Giants outside linebacker Jihad Ward is not one to hold his tongue when he feels he or his teammates have been done wrong. And on Wednesday, the Giants defender, who goes by the nickname of Haddy, wasn’t holding back when asked by reporters about the incident between him and New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, which was captured on film for the HBO “Hard Knocks” series.

Ward claims that the incident was edited to favor Rodgers and the Jets and failed to show the event that led up to the interaction, that being receiver Randall Cobb’s blindside block on Giants safety Bobby McCain that left the defender concussed.

“There’s a reason why I shoved him like I did,” Ward told a group of reporters gathered by his locker. “The reason why is because I don’t let none of my teammates get knocked over, you know what I’m sayin’?

The Jets were then shown laughing in the huddle after the hit, an action that didn’t sit well with Ward.

"Everybody going to get pissed off at that. The whole team was pissed off." Ward said. "It's preseason and all that stuff, and you're going to do some reaction like that?”

After the play, Ward was caught on camera giving Rodgers an extra shove. The two players then began jawing at each other, but the editing made Ward look like the instigator, which he did not appreciate.

When Rodgers, who at one point engaged in a round of “I don’t know who you are” with Ward, connected with receiver Garrett Wilson for a touchdown, he went back at Ward, telling him, “Don’t poke the bear.”

Rodgers was then seen on the Jets sideline bragging to his teammates about his exchange with Ward.

Ward noted that the Giants and Jets will face each other again in the regular season on October 29. And the defender, who is always juiced up as it is, will certainly be a little extra charged for the meeting.

"It's preseason and all that stuff, and you're going to do some reaction like that? It's cool, though. That's how they roll," Ward said of the Jets. "I think we play them soon. It is what it is."

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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.

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