We’ve spent most of the day wondering what exactly led Jets backup linebacker I.K. Enemkpali to sock quarterback Geno Smith in the face, and now it looks like we have our answer.
Here’s the scoop, from Adam Schefter:
At the heart of the dispute between former Jets LB IK Enemkpali and quarterback Geno Smith is $600 that Enemkpali believed Smith owed him, per league sources. Enemkpali purchased a plane ticket for Smith to attend his July 11 football camp at Pfugerville High School in Pfugerville [sic], Texas. However, days before the camp, a person close to Smith was killed in a motorcycle accident in Miami and Smith did not attend Enemkpali’s camp, per sources. After Smith did not attend, Enemkpali demanded that the Jets’ quarterback refund him the $600 he allegedly used to purchase a plane ticket. Smith told Enemkpali he would reimburse him the money, but he did not. Enkempali confronted Smith today about the money and the confrontation ended in a punch and broken jaw.
So what kept Geno from paying up? My guess is that he kept forgetting to bring his checkbook, and doesn’t use PayPal or Venmo because he doesn’t, like, want his bank stuff on the internet, you know?