New York Jets All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardiner created headlines over the weekend by appearing with convicted racketeer Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino.
Merlino is a longtime rumored boss of the Philadelphia mafia.
Jets CB Sauce Gardner was hanging out with alleged Philly mob boss Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino in Florida 🤔 pic.twitter.com/lMU70tOagG
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) July 7, 2024
Merlino, for his part, touted a potential podcast appearance by Gardiner.
“My main man @saucegardner stay tuned Podcast coming soon 🎙️🌶️🇮🇹 🏈,” he wrote on Instagram to his over 10,000 followers.
Federal prosecutors successfully convicted Merlino on racketeering and other charges in 2001. He served 10 years in prison, though he was remanded to custody for a short time due to illegal gambling.
Other outlets noted that a fire consumed Merlino’s cheesesteak shop in Philadelphia. Investigators suspect arson, though nobody has been arrested or charged with a crime.
The photograph created quite an interesting discussion on Twitter, the social media platform currently marketed as X:
“That’s my CB,” one Jets fan proudly proclaimed.
“Thought this was NBA Youngboy,” joked another fan.
“I ain’t betting on no Jets game this season,” wrote a Packers fan.
“Take the Jets wins under,” one user advised.
Only time will tell how this will impact the Gardiner’s season. The Jets start their 2024 campaign on Sept. 15th, when they travel west to face the Tennessee Titans on the road in Nashville.
