In a social media post from Sauce Gardner, the New York Jets cornerback is accused of insecurity and likens him to an online male community characterized by an inability to attract women.
Deriving from the term “involuntary celibate,” incel men have been known to congregate in online forums to alternately criticize and reject the objects of their romantic desires. Often, incel men refer to women as “wives” in a perceived attempt to reduce the opposite sex to a reproductive role.
When Gardner wrote about “women” in a recent post by X, fans immediately made the connection.
The conversation began with a comment from Gardner about a Buffalo Bills fan who was recently photographed holding a sign at a game.
“Josh,” the woman wrote, presumably to Bills quarterback Josh Allen. “I just got married but I would leave my husband for you!”
A social media post from Sauce Gardner shows the Jets corner being accused of insecurity
Gardner’s post led to accusations of insecurity and comparisons to the incel community
The postscript on the sign read: ‘He is here.’
Gardner, 24, responded to the photo on X.
“Most women these days will call you insecure if you get angry about this behavior,” he wrote.
The fans weren’t exactly happy about it.
“The best cornerback in the NFL is an incel,” one fan wrote.
Another claimed that ‘incel Grift pays an athlete well to do something like this.’
“Sauce man why do we call them ‘females’ like they’re a different species,” complained another fan.
Many others supported Gardner, who is preparing for a game against the visiting Denver Broncos on Sunday.
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay agreed wholeheartedly, writing, “Those are facts!!”
“That’s a straight up divorce,” one fan wrote on X.
“I hope she planned her own ride home,” added another.
The debate hasn’t clouded Gardner’s impressive 2-1 start to the season for the Jets.
According to Pro Football Focus, the University of Cincinnati product has only been the target of coverage 10 times. In other words, quarterbacks are avoiding the former Defensive Rookie of the Year selection.