Janoris Jenkins defends insensitive term he tweeted at a fan

Chris Cwik

New York Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins had an opportunity to move on Thursday. Jenkins spoke to the media for the first time since he tweeted an insensitive term at a fan Wednesday. Instead of apologizing and expressing remorse for his actions, he made things much worse.

Jenkins defended using the term “retard,” saying it was “part of my slang that I use.”

Jenkins used the word after being called out by the fan Wednesday.

The 31-year-old later tweeted out an apology, saying he meant no harm by using that term. Jenkins used that same defense Thursday.

At one point during the media session, a reporter asked Jenkins whether he understands why that term wasn’t the right one to use. Jenkins again reiterated that it’s “just the slang that I use.” The reporter told Jenkins, “that doesn’t really make it right.” Jenkins responded by saying, “I never said it was right, I said it was the slang that I use back home.”

Though Jenkins says he meant no harm, he can’t hide behind that as an excuse. Words have meaning, and the particular term Jenkins used is both insensitive and offensive. Jenkins could have used many other words to express his frustration with the fan.

Instead of acknowledging that, Jenkins chose to double down Thursday. In doing so, Jenkins made his poor choice of words an even bigger story.

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Chris Cwik is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik

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