Jabrill Peppers apologizes to Patriots coaches, teammates for remarks - ESPN

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers apologized to teammates Friday for any distraction caused by remarks he made to New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley on the field after last Sunday's game.

In the aftermath of the Patriots' 10-7 loss to the Giants, Peppers went to embrace Barkley, his former teammate, and said: «You lucky we ass.» The comment was picked up by an NFL Films microphone worn by the running back.

On Friday, Peppers was asked about the exchange, which went viral on social media.

«I just want to apologize to my teammates and coaches for even having to answer questions about that,» Peppers said. «We have more important things to worry about than me being quoted on a hot mic. At the end of the day, we're 2-9, we have a top-5 pick in the draft that didn't come via trade and we all know the standard. We all know what it's supposed to look like, and it's not that right now.

»It's not no shot at anybody in the locker room. I said 'we.' We own that. I own that."

Peppers, who played alongside Barkley with the Giants from 2019 to 2021, has been one of the individual bright spots in the Patriots' disappointing season. He has started all 11 games, playing 94.9% of the defensive snaps, while totaling 59 tackles and a team-high six passes defended.

He has emerged as a team leader in his second season with the franchise, and stressed Friday that he wants «to be part of the solution.»

As for the hot mic, Peppers didn't take back what he said, but regretted that it was released publicly.

«I'm a professional, so things like that should never happen,» he said. «No need to blame anyone but myself. This is my seventh year in the league, I'm 28 years old, I know better. That was a little