Eli Apple seems rather content being the second-most popular person in his family.
While the Giants’ first-round pick has spent the week getting used to his new surroundings and is now participating in the team’s rookie minicamp, his mother, Annie Apple, has taken social media by storm. She already was a presence and had tremendous influence on Twitter when Eli was playing at Ohio State, but now that he is in the NFL and on one of the league’s big-market teams, well, the spotlight has gone more toward her than her 20-year-old son who actually will be on the field.
“I have no problem with that at all,” Eli Apple said. “If she wants the whole spotlight, she can have it.”
She might.
In the week since the Giants drafted Eli Apple, Annie Apple has made a following for herself with articles in Sports Illustrated and interviews on ESPN, and has also continued tweeting.
“It does not surprise me one bit,” Eli Apple said of the attention his mother has received. “It was something I expected and I was thinking, OK, I’m going to have to account for it because I know how she is, I know her personality on Twitter and out in public. I’m fine with it. It’s not surprising at all.”
She comes off as a grounded, humble sports mom who is looking out for her son. One of her more popular tweets had to do with the many new followers who had shown a sudden interest in Eli.
“Praying for all the thirsty girls sliding in new NFL rookies DMs with heavy booty & cleavage action pics,” she posted. “Only Jesus can quench your thirst”.
She also wrote about her reaction to Eli’s desire to wear some bling to the red carpet on draft day. Her advice to him: “Dude, you’re an unemployed college dropout. You will not be on TV with a Rolex.”
Eli Apple smiled at that quote.
“That’s how we interact,” he said, adding that he was just pushing her buttons and didn’t really want to wear a Rolex. “She’s definitely big on earning things and not going out to do the flashy stuff. She definitely kept me humble growing up.”
It’s a charming relationship … for now. Who knows where it will go the first time Eli Apple is beaten for a touchdown and the Twitter followers turn on both of them. Eli said his mom is free to react however she wants to.
“She’s going to be her own person, so you just have to live with it,” he said. “As long as I’m out on the football field doing my job, that’s all that matters.”
..... - Newsday