The pressure is mounting on Odell Beckham Jr., and the New York Giants wide receiver admits his frustration is growing.
After being held to a career-low 23 yards on three catches in a 24-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night, Beckham told ESPN on Tuesday he was exasperated with the focus on his outbursts.
"Football is my sanctuary," Beckham said. "It's where I go to escape. It's where I'm most happy. I'm not having fun anymore."
Beckham once again found himself in an emotionally charged contest Monday, this time with Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes. The two sparred throughout the night, and Beckham earned a taunting penalty and made contact with an official as he complained.
In the previous week's highly anticipated matchup with cornerback Josh Norman and the Washington Redskins, a tearful Beckham reacted to an Eli Manning interception by swinging his helmet into a kicking net, which then fell back and struck him.
Beckham said Sunday, "Nobody on another team bothers, upsets me," and claimed that he could only get upset with himself and his team. On Tuesday, the all-pro wide receiver pointed to one of his points of contention: A perceived lack of receptiveness from the Giants in making offensive adjustments that suit him.
"What I'm communicating, we're not doing," he said. "I'm not getting the opportunities to contribute, and that's frustrating to me."
Giants coach Ben McAdoo, who said last week Beckham needs to be "less of a distraction" with his behavior, believes winning is the key to getting his star back on track.
"When we execute better, spread the ball around and everyone gets their opportunities, we're going to have some fun," McAdoo said in response to Beckham's comment. "Until we execute better, hang onto the football and eliminate the penalties from our play, no one is going to be having any fun."
