Giants' J.J. McCarthy Explains 'Corny' Reason for Not Wearing Eye Black vs. C.J. Stroud, Texans

Keen observers may have noticed New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy wasn't wearing his trademark eye black when making his first start for the team. The explanation goes back to his college rivalry with Ohio State.

McCarthy made a point to not put on eye black when playing against the Buckeyes as part of a wider grudge. He took the same approach against the Houston Texans in Week 7 since former Buckeyes star C.J. Stroud is their starting quarterback.

"Yeah, it is a little corny," he said, per The Athletic's Charlotte Carroll. "Don't get me wrong, but … you know, I guess I'm a corny guy. I took it personal in high school, growing up an Ohio State fan, like a die-hard Ohio State fan. I had the comforter, had the Fatheads, everything. And (it was) just a little disappointing situation. (So) at the end of the day, that's just something that I'll continue against all Buckeyes."

Beyond just the longstanding bad blood between OSU and Michigan, McCarthy took exception to Buckeyes coach Ryan Day getting a commitment from fellow 2021 recruit Kyle McCord. Day had purportedly pledged to wait much longer before he settled on a QB during that cycle.

McCathy still hasn't forgotten the perceived slight.

Maybe the extra edge helped the third-year signal-caller against the Texans. He went 20-of-28 for 252 yards in a 27-21 overtime victory. It was one of his best performances in the NFL.

McCarthy signaled the eye black will return, though, with the Philadelphia Eagles next up for the Giants. He'll likely leave the eye black in the locker only when he's facing off with Stroud or "unless Ryan Day comes up to the NFL."