As the New York Giants gear up to face the Philadelphia Eagles in an exhibition game in São Paulo, Brazil, wide receiver Darius Slayton is expressing a humorous yet understandable concern: he doesn’t want to be mistaken for one of his opponents, especially after a recent controversy.
Earlier this week, Eagles defensive back Darius Slay made waves when he shared his apprehensions about playing in Brazil on his “Big Play Slay” podcast. Citing concerns about safety, Slay mentioned that he was uneasy about the crime rate in São Paulo and even told his family not to travel for the game due to the potential risks. “The crime rate is crazy,” Slay said during the podcast, sparking widespread reactions from fans, especially in Brazil.
In light of the confusion that could arise from the similarity between their names, Slayton, who plays for the Giants, took to social media to make sure the people of Brazil don’t confuse him with Slay. In a lighthearted post on X (formerly Twitter), Slayton tried to distance himself from the comments made by his Eagles counterpart.
“Dear people of Brazil, my name is Darius SlayTON, I play WR for the Giants, I am innocent,” Slayton wrote, adding a touch of humor to the situation. The message was clearly meant to avoid any unnecessary mix-ups or backlash over remarks he didn’t make.
For his part, Slay quickly realized the impact of his comments and issued an apology after his statements about Brazil went viral. The Eagles star took to social media to clarify that his intentions were not to offend and that he was excited about the upcoming game in the vibrant country.
“I want to apologize to anyone I offended, that wasn’t my intention. I’m looking forward to playing in your beautiful country, and I’ve heard y’all are very passionate, just like our amazing Eagles fans. Just a few more days, can’t wait!!!” Slay wrote on X.
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While Slay’s apology helped ease tensions, the situation has left Slayton understandably cautious. After all, the two players’ names are strikingly similar, and Slayton has probably already heard some reactions from fans who may have confused him for the Eagles defensive back. It’s easy to see why Slayton wants to make it crystal clear that he has no part in the comments made by Slay.
As the Giants and Eagles prepare to take the field in Brazil, Slayton’s humorous post serves as a reminder that even in the high-stakes world of professional sports, misunderstandings can happen, especially when players share similar names. With both teams set to face off on Friday night, Slayton is likely hoping for a smooth game—on the field and off it—without any more mix-ups.
Despite the brief controversy, excitement is building for the matchup, with both teams eager to showcase their talent in an international setting.
Fans in Brazil are known for their passionate support, and while Slay’s comments initially sparked some concern, his apology and Slayton’s playful approach have helped ease any tension ahead of the game.
