“They set me up”, Sauce Gardner says of wacky Sports Illustrated cover photo
New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner continues adding to his remarkable list of accolades. Already a first-team All-Pro, Pro Bowler, and Defensive Rookie of the Year, Gardner has now graced the cover of Sports Illustrated.
In front of a close-up shot of Gardner, the title “The Sweet Life of Sauce Gardner” is profoundly displayed. A smaller caption reads, “The Jets’ Young Star Is Already a Historically Good Shutdown Corner, And So Much More.”
It all sounds spectacular – until you see the exact photo of Gardner that SI chose to use.
The sweet life of Sauce Gardner.
The Jets’ young star graces the cover of Sports Illustrated: https://t.co/7TuPzCsrJp pic.twitter.com/BjV6DYZGxr
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 12, 2023
Make of that what you will.
The photo, which clearly originated from a shoot that was specifically done for the cover, generated mixed reactions. Some people think it’s cool, some people think it’s abundantly weird, and some people find it flat-out hilarious.
Gardner took to Twitter to defend the photo. “That’s sauce on my hands. They set me up this one, but it’s all good”, Gardner tweeted.
TP TP🤣 That’s sauce on my hands. They set me up with this one, but it’s all good😭😭😭🔥 https://t.co/qrFlYe2xZo
— D’ROY GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) May 12, 2023
This is far from the last time that Gardner’s face will be seen on a nationwide scale. On Thursday, we learned the Jets will be featured in six prime-time games this season, tying them for the most of any team in the NFL.
Gardner will go head-to-head with numerous household names in those nationally televised contests, including Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Amari Cooper, and Keenan Allen. It all starts in Week 1 when the first Monday Night Football game of the season will feature Gardner’s third battle against Stefon Diggs.
Gardner and the Jets will look to continue the success they had against Diggs in 2022 when he was limited to eight catches for 130 yards and zero touchdowns across two games.
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