Geno Smith dispute leaves Jets QB regretting training camp distraction
Geno Smith said an off-field dispute that drew a police inquiry distracted the Jets as veterans arrived for training camp.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
Geno Smith said Tuesday that the Geno Smith dispute involving a former girlfriend became an unwelcome interruption for the New York Jets just as the team was entering training camp with what he called positive offseason momentum.
Speaking in Florham Park, New Jersey, on the day Jets veterans reported, Smith addressed the matter publicly for the first time. ESPN reported that the June incident went viral on social media and led to a police investigation that ended with no arrests and no charges.
Smith told reporters he hated that anything involving him could have distracted his teammates, the franchise and the work the team had put in during the offseason. He said he was glad to be able to put the matter behind him and was focused on Wednesday’s practice and the season ahead.
What happened in the Geno Smith dispute?
According to ESPN and a Davie, Florida, police incident report, officers were called to Smith’s home on June 21 after a woman who said she was his ex-girlfriend called 911 and alleged that he assaulted her. ESPN identified the woman as Kristen Stubbs.
Stubbs posted video of a dispute with Smith on Instagram and said on camera that he had run outside and attacked her, according to ESPN. The allegation did not lead to a charge.
The incident report said Smith had two scratches on his face and a knot on the back of his head. Stubbs had a small cut between the thumb and pointer finger on her right hand and a bruise on her left arm, while the report noted no visible injuries to her face, according to ESPN.
Police first described the case as closed, then continued reviewing it, ESPN reported. The case was later listed as inactive, largely because neither Smith nor Stubbs gave requested follow-up statements to investigators, according to ESPN.
Smith says he spoke with Jets leaders
Smith, 35, said he discussed the off-field allegations with coach Aaron Glenn, general manager Darren Mougey and veteran leaders on the roster. He did not give details about those conversations.
Linebacker Demario Davis, one of the Jets’ veteran voices, confirmed that he talked with Smith. Davis said the locker room has a tight brotherhood and that players need trusted people around them who can support them the right way.
Smith is back with the Jets after the team acquired him in a March trade with the Las Vegas Raiders. He was originally drafted by New York in the second round in 2013 and played for the franchise from 2013 through 2016.
Asked about returning to the team years later, Smith said he is wiser than he was during his first Jets stint and grateful for another chance. He said he could not fully describe how excited he is.
Other police encounters and roster moves
ESPN reported that Smith had three encounters with Davie police over a three-month span. The June dispute was one. The other two were traffic stops.
In April, police stopped Smith while he was driving a Rolls-Royce because of improper vehicle tags, and he could not provide a physical driver’s license, according to ESPN. On July 6, he was stopped in an Aston Martin for driving 70 mph in a 45 mph zone and again failing to present a license.
That July stop led to two traffic citations and about $400 in fines, with no required court appearance, ESPN reported.
The Jets also made two roster moves as camp opened: edge defender Joseph Ossai was placed on the physically unable to perform list, while wide receiver Tim Patrick came off the PUP list after passing his physical.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.