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New York Giants kicker Graham Gano has claimed fans have told him to kill himself and to 'get cancer and die' because of what he does on the field. Gano has struggled repeatedly with injury issues over the course of the last three seasons but speaking Thursday, on the day Dallas Cowboys star Marshawn Kneeland took his own life, he revealed how often criticism has crossed the line. Gano didn't practice on Wednesday or Thursday and has a neck issue. He missed a 45-yard field goal on Sunday as the Giants lost 34-24 at MetLife Stadium to San Francisco 49ers. Speaking in the team locker room, Gano told reporters: 'Ever since sports betting started happening, I get people telling me to kill myself every week. The other day somebody told me to get cancer and die. 'I'll hit a kick that loses them money. I'll miss a kick that loses them money. And that stuff is part of it. Playing this long, that stuff, you're used to it. 'I've been playing ball since before social media. I think it is tough for a lot of the younger guys, if you really look at that stuff but during the season I usually shut those things off, anyways. It doesn't stop people from seeing you in public and saying things to your face. 'Unfortunately, that's part of the game. I'll get letters, I'll get fans telling it to my face, game days, the DMs. I've gotten thick skin over the years, but nobody wants to hear that stuff.' Gano, 38, began his career in 2009 when the Baltimore Ravens signed him as an undrafted free agent. He has been in New York since 2020. Gano was also asked about the impact abuse has on mental health of players across the league after the news of Kneeland's death at the age of 24. Kneeland was discovered dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after fleeing Texas State troopers at around 10:30pm local time on Wednesday. 'We were talking this morning, guys on the team. I hated hearing that news,' Gano said. 'It's not just football, it is anybody. If you have anybody that's on your mind to reach out to, do it. Check on your people. 'We have great guys in this locker room, I love every player on this team. I would hope that every single person would feel comfortable coming to me with something difficult. 'Everybody, in every day life, goes through things that are hard. That's the sad reality of life. It is really awful what happened down there.' The 2-7 Giants, who have been offered the chance to comment on Gano's words by Daily Mail, head to Chicago this weekend to take on the Bears. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or at http://988lifeline.org.
