Brandon Marshall addresses media about Sheldon Richardson comments
Brandon Marshall knew it was coming. The New York Giants wide receiver walked up the podium after Friday’s organized team activities (OTAs).
“Sheldon Richardson questions, go ahead, open up,” Marshall said, well aware of what his former Jets teammate said about him on the opening day of Jets OTAs.
Richardson said in an interview: “The locker room is a whole lot easier to get along with now.” When asked to elaborate, Richardson said, “Man, oh, man, y’all are thirsty. Let’s just say I’ve got 15 reasons why it’s better.”
Marshall wore No. 15 with the Jets. He is also wearing No. 15 with the Giants.
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Marshall was not surprised to hear criticism from Richardson. After all, the two nearly came to blows after a tough loss last season and their locker room beef was made public. At the same time, Marshall is a little bothered it’s still happening now that he’s with the Giants.
“I’m human,” Marshall said. “So, like I said, the first couple of years of my career, more than the first couple of years, really the first five years. I wasn’t responsible with the platform that we have.”
Marshall is 33 years old now. The Giants are his fifth team and his best shot to win a Super Bowl. He is aware of his foibles and of the opportunity he’s been presented with.
“Nah. I’m not a perfect guy, but I worked extremely hard to get in the position I am in today,” Marshall said. “The first couple of years in my career was rough, and a lot of it I did to myself. I hurt myself.
“And since that point, once I figured things out, I’ve worked extremely hard to be a better person and work extremely hard to be a better teammate, a better father, a better husband, and I’m proud of where I am today. I wake up every single day trying to make a positive impact in any room I step into.”
Marshall is a veteran presence in the Giants’ locker room. Head coach Ben McAdoo said he admires Marshall’s work ethic. He may be called upon to be a mentor to fellow receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard.
Marshall and Richardson’s beef, according to Marshall, isn’t anything new.
“You know what? That is the third or fourth time we’re going down that path. Like I said, it was a tough year for us. In the National Football League, it’s not unique,” Marshall said. “There are 31 teams in that same position trying to fight to get to a Super Bowl and win a Super Bowl. It didn’t happen for us. We had high hopes coming off that first year we were all together in 2015. It kind of blew up in our face. So, we all were disappointed.”
The Jets finished 5-11 in 2016 after a 10-6 campaign the year before. Marshall and Richardson’s beef went on throughout the season and possibly divided the locker room. In December, Marshall chastised Richardson with a profane Snapchat video. Richardson responded by publicly ripping Marshall after a loss.
Giants defensive tackle Damon Harrison is a former teammate of Richardson’s. He offered some advice for both the media and Richardson.
“You all have to keep the mic away from Sheldon,” Harrison said. “Sheldon, get away from the damn microphone.”
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