Eagles running back posts cryptic message after halftime Instagram accusation
Kenneth Gainwell of the Philadelphia Eagles shared on Instagram that he broke NFL rules by texting an angry fan at halftime of Sunday’s game against the Washington Chiefs.
After Philadelphia Eagles tight end Kenneth Gainwell fumbled in the red zone in the second quarter against the Washington Chiefs, a photo of him reacting to an angry fan’s Instagram post went viral.
The NFL prohibits players from using cell phones 90 minutes before the end of the game.
In the past, the league has fined players tens of thousands of dollars for rule violations.
In a screenshot widely shared on social media but not independently verified by Mirror Sports US, a fan sent a direct message to Gainwell’s verified Instagram account: “Focus on the football you idiot!” wrote.
Gainwell replied: “Dude, don’t text me.”
Gainwell has yet to directly respond to reports that he responded to a fan during the game, but did post a cryptic message on his Instagram Story following Philadelphia’s 38-31 win.
“Tell you about the devil,” she wrote, along with three laughing and crying emojis.
“that’s enough.
I cannot achieve this end. Untouchable!!!!\”
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni relied on Gainwell as a running back in 2023, sometimes turning to starter D’Andre Swift for multiple runs at the same time.
Sirianni said after the match that it would be “stupid” for Gainwell to be sent off because of the prize money.
“We will never lose faith in Kenny,” Sirianni said.
“I’m uncomfortable with that guy.
Are you going to take Jalen after INT?
Not.
Have we lost faith in AJ after his three game absence last year?
Not.
That would be stupid.
The Philadelphia members were not very friendly.
Local pundits wonder why Sirianni Gainwell provides a significant portion of the backfield touches while Swift averages over 5 yards per carry.
After Sunday’s fiasco, former Eagles player Seth Joyner caught up with Gainwell on JAKIB Sports.
“The Kenneth Gainwell experience is over,” Joyner said.
“I don’t understand the appeal of the Eagles for him anymore.”
Gainwell ran the ball twice for minus-4 yards against the Chiefs. He also caught five passes for 30 yards.
The 24-year-old averaged less than 3.5 yards per carry in 2023.
The NFL takes its rules against phone use during games very seriously.
At one point, the Pittsburgh Steelers had T.J. Watt joked that he goes on the radio and checks the stats at halftime.
This resulted in a $10,000 fine.
“I made a joke about looking at my phone during halftime in the Baltimore game, and the NFL took that as a valid statement and fined me $10,000,” Watt told NBC Sports last year.
“It’s just one of those things where you can have your phone with you 90 minutes before kick-off or half-time.”
