Report: Former WVU QB Geno Smith Punched Over $600
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - Former West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith was punched in the mouth Tuesday in the Jets Training Center outside Newark, NJ., and there was a reason for the mauling, according to ESPN.
Adam Schefter reports that Smith was sucker-punched by linebacker and fellow Jet IK Enemkpali because Enemkpali claimed Smith owed him $600 for a plane ticket.
Here is an excerpt from the story:
Smith, who will miss at least six to 10 weeks with two fractures in his jaw, accepted a $600 plane ticket from IK Enemkpali to appear at the reserve linebacker's football camp in Pflugerville, Texas, according to sources. Problems arose when Smith did not show to the camp, which took place days after someone close to Smith died in a motorcycle accident in Miami, sources said.
After Smith did not attend, Enemkpali demanded that the Jets quarterback refund him the $600 he allegedly used to purchase the plane ticket. Smith told Enemkpali he would reimburse him the money, but he had not as of Tuesday morning. Enkempali confronted Smith on Tuesday about the money, and the confrontation ended in a punch and a broken jaw.
Enemkpali has been released by the team, and Smith, who would have likely assumed the Jets starting quarterback spot to open the season, has the option to press charges on the sixth-round selection out of Louisiana Tech in the 2014 draft.
Ryan Fitzpatrick has since taken over quarterbacking responsibilities for the Jets.