Giants Kicker Gano Reveals Fan Death Threats

New York Giants kicker Graham Gano disclosed on Thursday that he has endured severe harassment from fans, including death threats and wishes for terminal illness, largely fueled by the expansion of legal sports betting since 2018. The 38-year-old veteran, sidelined by a neck injury ahead of Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears, described the abuse as a weekly occurrence tied to his performance on field goals and extra points.

Gano, who has played in the NFL since 2009 after going undrafted out of Florida State, has spent the last four seasons with the Giants. In that time, he has missed 20 games due to injuries, and he now faces the possibility of sitting out a 21st after a herniated disc diagnosis earlier this week. The issue worsened following the team's loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, where Gano missed a 45-yard field goal in his second game back from a prior groin injury. Despite limited action this season, he remains efficient, converting 9 of 10 field goal attempts and all 9 extra-point tries.

The harassment intensified with the nationwide legalization of sports betting following a 2018 Supreme Court ruling that struck down a federal ban, allowing states...