Fansided

Kenny Phillips Says He’ll Learn to Hate the New York Giants

By Josh Sanchez

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Jan 15, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; New York Giants strong safety Kenny Phillips (21) celebrates with fans in the stands with a cheese head hat on his head after 2011 NFC divisional playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE-STAR LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; New York Giants strong safety Kenny Phillips (21) celebrates with fans in the stands with a cheese head hat on his head after 2011 NFC divisional playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE-STAR LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports /

For the first time since joining the New York Giants as a first-round pick out of the University of Miami in the 2008 NFL Draft, safety Kenny Phillips has found a new team and it is the team he spent his first five years in the league hating. Phillips signed with the Philadelphia Eagles during free agency and he will now have to figure out how to deal with joining his former foe and turning his back on the team that gave him a shot.

“It’s weird. It’s definitely weird. But at this point I can’t say I hate the Giants. When I was with the Giants I kind of disliked the Eagles. But I can’t just say right now I hate the Giants. I guess I’ll have to learn to hate them,” Phillips said.

While Phillips is getting ready to work on hating his former team, he already has some positive thoughts about his new team and head coach.

“Once I got here and just speaking to the coaching staff and speaking to Chip, I can honestly say I feel at home,” Phillips said. “The Giants is a great organization. But I’m really happy to be here right now just surrounded by some great people and great players. I never thought I’d be sitting here today as a Philadelphia Eagle.”

When you are an athlete, it is pounded into your head that you need to hate your division rivals.

Lately, the culture of the game has changed and rivals don’t go off the field with the increase in personal relationships developing between the players, so if Phillips does learn to hate the Giants then it will be nothing personal.

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