Giants' Golden Tate Says His Actions That Led to Benching Were 'Unacceptable'

New York Giants wide receiver Golden Tate apologized Friday for the actions that prompted head coach Joe Judge to hold him out of last week's game against the Washington Football Team.

According to SNY's Ralph Vacchiano, Tate said: "I was definitely disappointed, but there's consequences for your actions. My actions were unacceptable and I apologize to the team, the coaches, the GM, the offense. I'm excited to move forward."

After each of his two catches during a Week 8 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tate yelled, "Throw me the ball!"

Per ESPN's Jordan Raanan, Judge said he would handle the situation "internally," and he ultimately decided to deactivate Tate for last week's game.

Tate is in the midst of the second season of a four-year, $37.5 million deal he signed with the Giants in 2019.

The 32-year-old missed five games last season due to suspension (PED policy violation) and injury, but he was fairly productive when he played, registering 49 receptions for 676 yards and six touchdowns.

Hopes were high for Tate and the entire Giants offense entering 2020 because the belief was that running back Saquon Barkley would be healthy for the entire season after missing three games last year and quarterback Daniel Jones would take a significant step forward in his second season.

Barkley was lost for the year after just two games, though, and Jones has largely struggled to replicate his success.

As a result, Tate has just 22 catches for 226 yards and two touchdowns, putting him on pace for his worst season since 2011, his second year in the league with the Seattle Seahawks.

The 2014 Pro Bowler established himself as one of the best slot receivers when he played for the Detroit Lions from 2014-18. He racked up at least 90 catches in four straight seasons from 2014-17 and reached the 1,000-yard receiving mark in three of those seasons.

Tate has not lived up to those standards in New York, however, and is clearly the No. 3 receiver on the team behind Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard. The Notre Dame product also trails tight end Evan Engram in receptions and touchdowns.

It has been a frustrating year for Tate and the 2-7 Giants, but it is paramount for them to get back on the same page since they are far from out of it in terms of playoff contention.

The Philadelphia Eagles lead the NFC East with a 3-4-1 record, putting them just one win ahead of the Giants. If the G-Men can beat the Eagles on Sunday, they will get closer to the top spot in the division.