LeSean McCoy on not shaking Chip Kelly's hand, Kelly vs. Rex Ryan, and his time in Philadelphia
LeSean McCoy does not feel the need to shake Chip Kelly’s hand on Sunday. Kelly told Buffalo media that he wanted to shake McCoy’s hand on Sunday when the Eagles play the Buffalo Bills.
LeSean McCoy does not feel the need to shake Chip Kelly's hand on Sunday. Kelly told Buffalo reporters that he wanted to shake McCoy's hand on Sunday when the Eagles play the Buffalo Bills.
"He knows that ain't going to happen. You all know that's not going to happen. We're not going to shake no hands," McCoy said during a conference call with Philadelphia reports Wednesday.
The Eagles, under Kelly's direction, traded McCoy to the Bills in March. McCoy has since made disparaging comments about Kelly. He did not want to badmouth him Wednesday. But he did not see a reason why he would need to shake Kelly's hand when the two see each other.
"We've got nothing to shake hands for," McCoy said. "Some of the dudes, players there, I'll shake their hands. Probably going to talk to [Jeffrey] Lurie a little bit. A couple different coaches. A lot of players over there I'm still tight with. I'm going to give Duce [Staley] a big hug. But that's pretty much it. . . . What are [Kelly and McCoy] shaking hands for? We don't have that type of relationship. I have nothing negative to say about him. I'm not going into an argument or fight with me. I just don't think we need to shake hands."
McCoy spent six years with the Eagles. He is the franchise's all-time leading rusher. He maintains friendships with former teammates and mentioned the good relationship he had with Lurie. He also spoke highly of Philadelphia fans and his experience in the city, and looks back with fondness at his time with the Eagles.
"I had a blast," McCoy said. "The fans, they were excellent. My teammates, I played with some great players. Coach [Andy] Reid, he was the man. And even Chip, he showed me a lot. He's really smart, he taught me different things. It was a blast to play in his offense. And then the city, kind of being in the city of Philadelphia - the fans are cool, and there's so much to do there. I had a blast in Philadelphia. I really did."
It's been a major change in Buffalo - especially inside the football building. McCoy said playing for Bills coach Rex Ryan is "way, way different" from playing for Kelly.
"Rex is worried about playing football," McCoy said. "The way you wear your hat, or the way you wear your jeans, the different socks you wear, the type of car you drive, he doesn't care about. He wants to win games. As long as you're respectful and play good for him, [follow] the rules of the team, and play for the logo on your helmet, that's all he cares about. . . . Chip, a lot of things matter to him other than playing ball. But every coach is different. Some coaches are like that."
McCoy stood by his previous comments about Kelly. The conference call ended after a reporter suggested that McCoy's comments countered his claims that he does not have a problem with Kelly. One example was McCoy's lack of interest in shaking Kelly's hand.
"I'm sure there's people you don't have an issue with, you don't have a problem with, but you don't shake hands," McCoy said. "There's no reason for us to shake hands. Why do you want me to shake that guy's hand?"