Nigerian Born NFL Player Released By NY Jets After Punching Teammate In locker Room Over $600 (See Photo)

Nigerian Born NFL Player Released By NY Jets After Punching Teammate In locker Room Over $600 (See Photo)

 

 

Linebacker Ikemefuna Enemkpali, known as IK, in the wake of a locker room altercation that left Jets quarterback Geno Smith with a broken jaw, was immediately released by the New York Jets on Tuesday.

Ik who is a free agent was selected by the New York Jets in the sixth round (210th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft on a $510,000 contract. The Jets made the move official on their Twitter account. According to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com, Geno Smith is expected to miss between six and 10 weeks after Enemkpali punched him.

Jets head coach Todd Bowles was extremely displeased with the incident, which will test his quarterback depth significantly.

 

"There was an altercation in the locker room," Bowles said. "Had nothing to do with football. Something very childish. He got cold-cocked, sucker-punched, whatever you want to call it, in the jaw."

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport provided some context with regard to the fight and why it ultimately occurred.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter. This was what happened:

The Jets selected Enemkpali in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL draft out of Louisiana Tech with the knowledge that he had a history of violence, according to Dane Brugler of CBS Sports.

When Enemkpali was 19, he punched a police officer during a bar fight before being subdued with pepper spray and a stun gun. Enemkpali was later charged with simple battery, placed on 13 months' probation, and ordered to complete 32 hours of community service and an anger-management course.

IK released a press statement to apologize for his actions. He said:

“I apologize to the Jets organization, coaches, teammates and fans,” the statement reads. “Geno and I let our frustration get the best of us, but I should have just walked away from the situation. I deeply regret and apologize for my actions. It was never my intention to harm anyone. I appreciate the opportunity I had with the Jets.

”IK's full name is Ikemefuna Chinedum Enemkpali. He's 24 and was born and raised in Pflugerville, Texas. He has 2 sisters, Nneka and Chinelo, and one brother, Osi.