New York Giants CB Sam Beal opens up about his arrest, his 2020 opt-out and the uphill battle he faces for a roster spot.
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Cornerback Sam Beal is heading into his fourth year with the New York Giants. His first three seasons did not go the Giants had hoped when they used a third-round pick on him in the 2018 NFL Supplemental draft.
Beal’s rookie season never got off the ground when he suffered a shoulder injury in camp and spent the entire season on injured reserve. In 2019, a hamstring strain kept him out until November. He played in six games, starting three making 26 total tackles and defending one pass.
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Last year, Beal was one of the players who opted out as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic but it has come to light that the virus wasn’t the only factor in that decision.
In June of 2020, Beal was hit with two gun charges, marijuana possession and other minor charges during a traffic stop in Ohio. Beal pleaded guilty this June and was sentenced to a year’s probation.
On Monday, Beal was in front of the Giants’ beat pool explaining his situation.
“At the time, it was the best decision for me. Sometimes you gotta take responsibility for your family, gotta take care of the people around you, take care of yourself. So, I chose the best decision at the time,” Beal said.
Asked if the arrest was a factor in that decision, Beal indicated it played a part.
“At the time, a lot of factors were involved, so I can’t just say it was that,” he said.
Beal told reporters that the story behind his opting out and his arrest were not reported correctly and tried to clear the air.
“Anybody in that position would want to explain themselves, you know what I mean? Because if things didn’t happen the way they should’ve, of course, you would want them to know your side of the story and what happened,” Beal said. “So, of course I talked to a bunch of coaches and let them know my side of the story of what really happened. And a lot of guys on social media had a story or something and they didn’t necessarily have the true facts. I would’ve loved for you guys to have asked me first about what really happened instead of going off of what somebody else said because a lot of things you guys said weren’t true.”
“It’s kind of too late now, so I’ll let you guys go about it how you guys go about it. I’ll go about it how I go about it.”
This camp, Beal returns to a crowded cornerbacks room. Since he last donned a Giants uniform, James Bradberry has emerged as an elite corner. Darnay Holmes is an ascending player and the team traded for Issac Yiadom. This offseason, Adoree’ Jackson has been brought in on an over-the-market contract and the Giants drafted two player they are extremely high on in Aaron Robinson and Rodarius Williams.
There’s hardly any room for Beal on this roster any longer. He is in the mix on the back end of the roster, a place that is commonly called ‘the bubble’.
The former Western Michigan star is a bonus at this point. If he plays out, he pans out. Beal knows what he is up against.
“Anybody that plays football knows that in your life you’re always competing. When you’ve got competitors with you, it makes it fun, especially when you’ve got a relationship with the guys and they’re all teaching every day,” Beal said. “So, when you make plays, they make plays, it’s always fun to watch in the film room. I’m just going to enjoy it. Just speak to the guys that accomplished a lot, places I want to be, positions I want to be in. I just look at them and tell myself every day to just try and get better.”
Beal, like most of the Giants’ players, is a big fan of head coach Joe Judge.
“I love him. He teaches me more every day. He lets you compete, that’s what I love. When I came in here, I didn’t know what to expect, but now I know that every day you have to be at your best. You want him to see you at your best. I try to be my best every day,” Beal said.
Will Beal’s best be good enough is now the question.
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