New York Giants cornerback Adoree’ Jackson didn’t hold back after a controversial pass interference call during Sunday’s 28-6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Jackson was flagged for a 36-yard pass interference penalty that turned a critical third-down stop into a game-changing moment, setting up a go-ahead touchdown for the Vikings.
The penalty came on a third-and-8 play, with Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison seemingly jumping on Jackson’s back to reach for an underthrown pass from quarterback Sam Darnold. Many believed the flag should have been thrown for offensive pass interference against Addison, but instead, it was Jackson who was penalized.
“He knows it,” Jackson said of the referee who made the call. “That’s why he wouldn’t look at me, wouldn’t talk to me. You saw Addison almost pull my damn helmet off. I turned and looked for the ball. I can’t do anything about it.”
The call erased a crucial stop for the Giants, and just three plays later, the Vikings capitalized by scoring to take a 7-3 lead. The Giants never regained momentum, with Jackson’s penalty becoming a pivotal moment in the game.
Jackson didn’t mince words when discussing the referee’s decision. “The ref is sorry,” he said. “He can hear me say that. He needs to be fined just like they fine us on different things. That was a BS call. He knows it.”
The Giants were penalized nine times for 95 yards during the game, with Jackson’s flag being one of the most impactful. The veteran cornerback, who was re-signed by the Giants after a training camp battle for the starting spot, expressed frustration not only with the call but with the referee’s reluctance to acknowledge the mistake.
“You heard the crowd reaction. You looked at the screen and saw it. So, he knows he made a bad call. And he threw it late. Come on,” Jackson added.
Despite the frustrating call, Jackson remains unconcerned about any potential fines for his outspoken comments, stating that if the league wants to punish him for speaking out, it reflects more on them than on him. “If they get mad at me for speaking the truth, then that should let you know about them,” Jackson said.
🚨🚨🚨AWFUL CALL:#NFL refs called us a defensive pass interference on #Giants Adoree Jackson, after the WR JUMPED ON HIM.
It should have been a offensive pass interference
WOW
pic.twitter.com/mjJJrjRvEz— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) September 8, 2024
The game was a rough outing for the Giants’ secondary, which faced a tough challenge in defending star receivers like Addison and All-Pro Justin Jefferson. Sam Darnold had an efficient day, completing his first 12 passes and finishing with 208 yards through the air. The Giants’ defensive struggles were evident throughout the game, as missed assignments and blown coverages allowed the Vikings to capitalize.
Jackson’s penalty, however, stood out as the game’s turning point, with linebacker Brian Burns adding, “That was questionable. That was a great play. He got his head around. That kind of bailed them out.”
The Giants will need to regroup quickly after the disappointing loss, especially with concerns surrounding their secondary. For Jackson, though, the sting of a questionable call lingers as a reminder of how easily momentum can shift in a game.
