The story behind maskless Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley photo sparking controversy

The story behind maskless Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley photo sparking controversy
Video saquon barkley bar

A video of Giants quarterback Daniel Jones and injured running back Saquon Barkley at a bar without masks on Friday night is legitimate but it’s unclear if they are in violation of the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols.

Jones and Barkley, along with a few teammates and friends, went to dinner in Manhattan in a private room of a restaurant, according to a person familiar with the situation. After dinner, the group was invited by a bar owner known by the group to have a drink at a private bar, which is closed to the public. It was at that bar where the video, posted and shared to Instagram by someone who goes by the name of DJ Lugghead, was recorded. DJ Lugghead served as a driver for the Giants group that night.

The picture was captioned, “Rockin wit Danny dimes and Saquon.” The DJ also posted a video of Jones taking a sip of a drink handed to him by an unidentified woman and another that appeared to show a man resembling Barkley riding a bike in the street. Barkley is set to undergo surgery next week after tearing his ACL on Sept. 20. He has been strengthening his knee ever since in preparation for surgery.

In a statement, the Giants said: “We are aware of the video that was posted. We are looking into the nature and context of what is on the video.’’

The NFL did not immediately return a request for comment. Under the league’s COVID-19 protocols, players can be fined for conduct detrimental if they are found to have engaged in “reckless” behavior, according to ESPN, including attending a gathering at an indoor bar with more than 10 people (other than to pick up a to-go order) without wearing a mask.

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Saquon Barkley, Daniel Jones and DJ Lugghead in images posted to Instagram on Friday.
Saquon Barkley, Daniel Jones and DJ Lugghead in images posted to Instagram on Friday.Instagram

Jones, Barkley and the Giants group may not have violated these protocols, since they are tested regularly for COVID-19, and they might not have mixed with anyone from outside their bubble.

The picture of Jones and Barkley, both 23 years old, made its way around social media Saturday. DJ Lugghead, the original poster, told The Post the video was from last October and not Friday night. That turns out to be untrue.

“It was all posts from last year,” the DJ said. “It’s a memory that popped up from a year ago. That’s why I posted it.”

The DJ declined to comment further when contacted again and informed of The Post’s reporting.

DJ Lugghead said he played at Common Ground in the Meatpacking District on Friday night — the bar says on its website it is open for 25 percent capacity indoor dining. The Giants group was not at Common Ground on Friday night.

The Giants, following their 22-21 loss to the Eagles, were given Friday, Saturday and Sunday off by head coach Joe Judge. Their next game is Monday, Nov. 2, against the Buccaneers.