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Giants LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles Apologizes to Jordan Love After Hard Hit, Praises His “Higher Standard” Leadership, Sparking Locker Room Tension


The aftermath of the Green Bay Packers’ 27-20 victory over the New York Giants took an unexpected turn when linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles publicly apologized to quarterback Jordan Love for the violent collision that briefly sent the Packers star to the medical tent. The apology alone was already surprising. What came next set off a storm inside the Giants locker room.

The hit occurred early in the third quarter. Love scrambled out of the pocket and was met by a full-speed shoulder strike from Flannigan-Fowles. Love stayed down for several seconds before being helped off the field for examination. Many assumed tensions between the two teams would rise. Instead, Flannigan-Fowles delivered one of the most respectful postgame gestures of the season.

“I want to apologize to Jordan,” Flannigan-Fowles said. “He is tougher than people think. The way he came back, the way he stayed composed, that is leadership on another level. I respect him a lot. Players like him make this game better.”

The statement quickly went viral. Love returned to finish the game and threw a decisive touchdown despite clear discomfort in his left shoulder. His performance drew praise from analysts and coaches, but hearing admiration from an opponent who had just delivered a punishing hit stunned both fanbases.

However, Flannigan-Fowles’ comments did not sit well with several Giants players. According to team insiders, multiple veterans felt the praise crossed a line. One anonymous teammate was quoted saying, “It sounds like Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles wants to play with Love. Not with us.” Another added, “He can respect an opponent. But calling him a higher standard player right after we lose? Come on.”

Despite the internal frustration, Flannigan-Fowles doubled down privately. Sources say he told coaches, “Respect is earned on the field. Jordan earned mine. I am not taking that back.”

Packers players, meanwhile, appreciated the gesture. One offensive lineman said Flannigan-Fowles showed “the type of sportsmanship the league needs more of.”

Jordan Love was later asked about the apology. He responded calmly. “Football is physical. Hits happen. I respect any player who approaches the game the right way. He plays hard. I play hard. That is all.”

The mini-drama inside the Giants locker room is expected to cool down, but the story highlights a deeper truth. Even in a league built on collisions and rivalry. moments of respect can shake up emotions as much as any scoreboard.

For Jordan Love, the incident only strengthens his growing reputation as a player opponents admire even while trying to stop him. For Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, it marks a moment of honesty that some teammates may question but many around the NFL quietly admire.

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Just 1 Hour After Learning He's No Longer in the Plans, Cowboys' $91.8 Million Star Right Tackle Is Ready to Restructure His Contract — Just for One More Chance to Play in Dallas Blue
Dallas, Texas – December 23, 2025 The message arrived quickly and without ambiguity. Just one hour after receiving clear signals that he was no longer part of the team’s long-term plans, Terence Steele chose a response rarely seen in today’s NFL: he voluntarily expressed willingness to restructure his $91.8 million contract, with one goal in mind — to continue wearing the Dallas Cowboys uniform. The move comes as the Dallas Cowboys undergo a significant shift along the offensive line. Coaches have confirmed that Tyler Smith will remain at left tackle over the final two games, while Tyler Guyton is expected to serve only as a swing tackle — a clear signal that Dallas is preparing for a future without Steele at right tackle. Combined with an “easy out” in Steele’s contract in 2026, his name has quickly surfaced among potential cap casualties. Rather than wait in silence for a decision, Steele chose to speak — not in protest, but in commitment. “If the team no longer sees me as the first option, I’m willing to step back,” Steele said. “I can restructure my deal, accept any role, even start from the bench — as long as I can stay here and be ready when the Cowboys need me. Dallas isn’t just where I play; it’s where my heart truly belongs.” What makes Steele’s stance resonate even more is what he has already given Dallas. An undrafted free agent in 2020, Steele defied the odds to become a full-time starter, logging over 5,000 career offensive snaps, protecting the edge in some of the league’s most pass-heavy offenses. At his peak, Steele started every game in back-to-back seasons, helped anchor a line that ranked top five in pass protection efficiency, and played a key role in Dallas finishing among the NFL’s top offenses in total yards and scoring. Teammates routinely cite his toughness — playing through injuries, rarely missing time, and lining up against elite edge rushers week after week. For the Cowboys, the dilemma is complex. The franchise must protect the blindside of Dak Prescott while also creating cap flexibility for a looming retooling process. Steele’s willingness to sacrifice financially could open another path — or at the very least, force decision-makers to pause before closing the door entirely on a proven veteran. No one knows yet whether Steele’s message will alter the final outcome. But in a league often driven by numbers, his response offered something different: loyalty expressed through action. In Dallas — where legacies are built on more than just contracts and depth charts — Terence Steele has reminded the Cowboys of a simple truth. Sometimes, a player’s greatest value isn’t found on a balance sheet, but in his willingness to stay, sacrifice, and fight for the star when the path forward suddenly narrows.