New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner has been named to The Associated Press 2023 NFL All-Pro First Team, according to an official press release.
It didn’t take long for the hate to start pouring in on social media. Longtime NFL veteran Asante Samuel posted on X previously Twitter, “We need to create standards! DB’s [defensive backs] should have at least one interception to be considered for all pro and pro bowl.”
While Samuel didn’t mention Sauce by name in the post, he was clearly referencing the Jets cornerback.
Only two outside cornerbacks were named to the first-team All-Pro squad. Gardner didn’t have an interception this season and Daron Bland of the Dallas Cowboys had nine picks which led the league.
Samuel and Gardner Exchange Responses on Social Media
Gardner responded to Samuel’s post saying, “Oh, is that right?” He included 90 laughing crying emojis to add to his point.
https://twitter.com/iamSauceGardner/status/1745933116647108830?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1745933116647108830%7Ctwgr%5E0840ed66c9b53f8fa9bc75274f8d9b0c9b1bcbf8%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fheavy.com%2Fsports%2Fnew-york-jets%2Fsauce-gardner-called-out-asante-samuel%2F
Gardner then responded to the same post with even more to say.
BEST CORNERBACK IN THE WORLD.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) January 12, 2024
“I’m mad I gotta give you the attention you been wanting for 2 years now… BUT this why you can’t call anybody an ‘OG’. OG’s make sho they support the younger generation, but you actin’ like a oldhead filled with hatred bro. I get you 43 and all, but you gotta grow up fam..”
https://twitter.com/iamSauceGardner/status/1745936555187830831?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1745936555187830831%7Ctwgr%5E0840ed66c9b53f8fa9bc75274f8d9b0c9b1bcbf8%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fheavy.com%2Fsports%2Fnew-york-jets%2Fsauce-gardner-called-out-asante-samuel%2F
Samuel returned fire by saying, “Homeboy you don’t have to give me anything… I’m not looking for your attention or anything from you. You sound confused I don’t care nothing about what you got going on.”
Homeboy you don’t have to give me anything… I’m not looking for your attention or anything from you
You sound confused I don’t care nothing about what you got going on. https://t.co/KW5vRkEosO— Asante Samuel Sr. (@pick_six22) January 12, 2024
Although it’s fair to point out that someone who doesn’t care about Sauce sure posts a lot about him on social media.
NYJ Matt revealed on social media that Samuel has tweeted about Gardner, “673” times.
https://t.co/RbpOWUKJi7 pic.twitter.com/WzpzukDEHf
— NYJ Matt (@NYJ_Matt) January 12, 2024
Gardner clarified that he isn’t Samuel’s “homebody”:
“And attention gotta be what you looking for because EVERYTIME I get an accolade, you sub-tweeting. I’m not confused at all, I’m always in my right mind before I do/say anything.”
https://twitter.com/iamSauceGardner/status/1745938287716372950?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1745938287716372950%7Ctwgr%5E0840ed66c9b53f8fa9bc75274f8d9b0c9b1bcbf8%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fheavy.com%2Fsports%2Fnew-york-jets%2Fsauce-gardner-called-out-asante-samuel%2F
Revealing Rest of Jets All-Pro Results
Linebacker Quincy Williams might not have earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl but he was voted a first-team All-Pro.
Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team said, “Williams is the only player to make first-team All-Pro this year who was claimed off waivers by another team. Rare stuff.”
The Jacksonville Jaguars cut bait on Williams in 2021 and the Jets quickly scooped him up off of waivers. He slowly became a starter and developed into one of the best linebackers in football. An amazing story.
#Jets LB Quincy Williams making first-team All-Pro is a pretty cool story, considering where he came from.
Waived by the Jaguars, claimed off waivers (!) by the Jets, he developed into a starter, got paid, and is now an All-Pro.
A really cool find by the Jets' front office and… https://t.co/B53arxvPQE
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 12, 2024
According to Dennis Waszak Jr, five other Jets received “at least 1 first-team vote for AP NFL All-Pro”:
Quinnen Williams, defensive lineman; finished 5th
Thomas Morstead, punter; finished 3rd
C.J. Mosley, linebacker; finished 9th
Ashtyn Davis, special teamer; finished 5th
Michael Carter II, slot cornerback; finished 6th
Five other #Jets received at least 1 first-team vote for AP NFL All-Pro:
-DL Quinnen Williams (7) – finished 5th
-P Thomas Morstead (5) – finished 3rd
-LB C.J. Mosley (3) – finished 9th
-Special Teamer Ashtyn Davis (3) – finished 5th
-Slot CB Michael Carter II (1) – finished 6th https://t.co/uxDZZWEfWy— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) January 12, 2024
Gardner became the first Jets player since the NFL/AFL merger, “regardless of position”, to make the first team All-Pro team in each of his first two seasons, per Rich Cimini of ESPN.
Cimini added that Gardner is one of only seven Jets all-time to make it on the roster on multiple occasions.
Sauce Gardner becomes the first #Jets player since the merger, regardless of position, to make first team AP All-Pro in each of his first two seasons. One of only 7 Jets to make it multiple times.
The others: Revis (3x), Powell (3), Gastineau (3), Mangold (2), Mawae (2) and…
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) January 12, 2024
