LeSean McCoy skips handshakes after friendly pregame gestures

ByMike Rodak ESPN logo
Monday, December 14, 2015

PHILADELPHIA -- LeSean McCoy ran directly to the locker room and did not interact with any Philadelphia Eagles players or coaches on the field after the Buffalo Bills' 23-20 loss Sunday.

The game marked McCoy's first game back at Lincoln Financial Field since he was traded by Philadelphia this past offseason to Buffalo.

McCoy, who was booed by fans as he ran into the tunnel, slammed his helmet against a wall in frustration and yelled obscenities as he entered the locker room. He later declined an interview to a large group of reporters surrounding his locker, saying, "I've got nothing to say."

The Eagles' all-time leading rusher, McCoy ran 20 times for 74 yards Sunday but was held to 11 yards on 10 second-half carries. He added four catches for 35 yards.

McCoy, who was the Bills' only captain for the game against his former team, briefly kneeled at midfield and kissed the Eagles' logo before the coin toss. He also hugged Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie while he was booed loudly during pregame introductions.

McCoy did not interact with Eagles coach Chip Kelly during warm-ups, staying on the Bills' side of the field before departing for the locker room ahead of kickoff. Kelly remained on the Eagles' side of the field.

In speaking to reporters before his much-anticipated return to Philadelphia, McCoy dismissed the idea of talking with Kelly or shaking his former coach's hand.

"Listen, man, Chip can't shake s--- at all. Nothing. He knows this," McCoy told a large group of reporters at his locker Wednesday. "That's why [he] said it. I know him. He's very intelligent. I can read between the lines. Like I said, I have nothing against him, no hatred. We're not enemies. I won't say anything wrong to him. But there's nothing for us to talk about, at all. Simple as that."

Kelly said on a conference call with Buffalo-based reporters that he wanted to shake McCoy's hand, but after McCoy's comments, Kelly said he understood McCoy's feelings.

"How he was traded, it wasn't handled right," Kelly said. "I've said that before. I did not get an opportunity to talk to him. And it's a lesson that we should never do."

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