The final Friday of the regular season got off to a hot start.
In an interview with The Greg Hill Show on WEEI, linebacker Jahlani Tavai made comments about the fan base chanting ‘Fire Mayo!’ and other things during the embarrassing 40-7 loss to the Chargers last Saturday, saying fans needed to ‘know their place.’
Jerod Mayo was asked about it a couple hours later during his weekly Friday presser.
“I’ve handled that internally,” he said. “We had a conversation about it, so I’m going to keep that in house. I will say this, look, for the fans – I’ve said this before. I’m a fan of different things, too. Look, no one’s happy, no one’s happy with our record, no one’s happy where we are right now. The fans, look, they pay the bills, they come in here, they demand us to go out there and perform well, and we haven’t done that this year. So, look, I understand.
“I’ve talked to the guys about how – look, they’re getting caught up in trying to defend me. I’ve told them, look, I appreciate it, but at the same time, the fans are the most important thing here. They want to see good football, and they want to see wins.”
After the final regular season practice of the year inside Gillette Stadium, Tavai spoke about the comments while sitting at his locker.
“I’m not going to your job and telling you how you’re doing your job,” he said. “I’m not that type of person. Being a true fan – and that’s what I’m saying – like, support. We need the support ya’ll been giving us since Day 1. I’m not trying to tell anybody to change up or do something they don’t wanna do, that’s not what I’m trying to get at. I’m just trying to say, I’m going to defend my guys. Whether it’s a player, whether it’s a coach, or someone who’s out here busting their butt to win.”
When asked about playing for Mayo this season, Tavai emphasized what most players have been saying for weeks.
“Since he’s been my coach he’s been nothing but great,” Tavai added. “He’s consistent and that’s who he is. Mayo doesn’t – and I always talk about this – his energy…whether we’re winning or losing, whether we’re having a good time or not, like, he’s going to be consistent. That’s who he is and that’s what I respect out of him.
“I’m going to repeat this quote every time this comes up…Rome wasn’t built in one day…I talked about it earlier (in the morning on WEEI) with the Lions. There’s plenty of other teams out there that can (turn around) and I hope to God that we’re one of those teams that can show it soon. The Lions…what were they their first year under Dan (Campbell)? Second year, what were they? They were still in a losing season. Now, what are they? This year…they’re damn near…everybody’s talking about Super Bowl. And again, I’m not comparing us to nobody, but there’s evidence that shows that sh*t can change. So, internally, when I say that guys gotta look in the mirror – myself included – that’s where it starts. So, when we look ourselves in the mirror and we recognize what we need to fix, come Buffalo, that’s what we’re trying to show.
“After Buffalo, we have a whole offseason to reflect. Whatever happens, that’s above my pay grade. If I get the opportunity to come back here, I will make sure I bust my balls to do exactly what we’re trying to do and that’s win.”
Tavai wanted to make it clear that he wasn’t trying to offend anyone, but that he believes he’s simply sticking up for his guys.
“To anyone that was offended…that ain’t my…that’s not who I am,” he added. “Who I am is, I’m a guy that’s going to defend his brothers. Anybody who is my coworker, anybody in this facility, I’m going to have their back. I’m sure if somebody’s listening, if somebody came into their house and did the same thing, talked about the family, talked about the people they work with, they’d act some type of way too.
“That’s it. That clears up a lot of stuff. If people still don’t like it, whatever. It is what it is. I’m not trying to get a reaction. I’m trying to show that we’re frustrated too. I don’t like being a loser. If somebody asks me ‘what type of player are you?’ or ‘do you like to win or do you hate to lose?’ I fu**ing hate to lose. So, I’m frustrated too. I’m not trying to poke buttons and stuff against the fans. I’m just going to be real. What I’m saying is, I’m defending my own. That’s it. Are you guys gonna let someone come talk to ya’ll’s peoples like that?
“If that clears it up. then that clears it up. It is what it is, man. I’m not trying to…like I said, I’m not trying to step on toes. What I said is what I said. I apologize to anyone whose feelings got hurt, but I’m going to defend my own.”