PETA Freaks Out on Odell Beckham Jr. over Viral Video
Two years ago in January, New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. made headlines with an infamous boat party in Miami ahead of a playoff game.
Beckham is again making headlines for something he did in Miami, although this time it doesn’t involve his teammates or R&B singer Trey Songz.
The NFL star posted a video on Instagram showing him and others tossing around a football and playing with a chimpanzee and big cats.
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Also featured in the video, which reportedly took place in the Miami suburb of Kendall, is Mike Holston, whose Instagram account — @therealtarzann — indicates he works in animal education and conservation.
The animals and humans seemed to be having a good time together, but the video drew outrage from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Brittany Peet, PETA’s director of captive animal law enforcement, released a statement Tuesday condemning Beckham and the safari park that provided the animals, Myrtle Beach Safari in South Carolina.
“These sensitive and much-abused animals belong with their families in nature, not pimped out as props by shameless roadside zoos,” Peet said. “We’re sure that Odell Beckham Jr. had no idea that the sleazy safari park where this young chimpanzee is kept has a lengthy record of violating federal law and uses great apes and big-cat cubs in cheap publicity stunts like this.”
Doc Antle, director of Myrtle Beach Safari, told WFAN in New York that the animals there are well cared for and the facility has never been cited for any federal violations.
“This is not a backyard zoo,” Antle said. “This is a really magnificent, wonderful place.”
Peet also brought up Beckham’s injury history; he’s missed 16 games over the last two seasons due to various ailments.
“These encounters are incredibly dangerous, and PETA urges everyone — including Beckham, who certainly doesn’t want another injury — to steer clear of cruel facilities that exploit animals,” Peet said.
Beckham missed the last four games of the 2018 season due to a lingering quad injury. He also missed 12 games in 2017 after breaking his ankle.
With another disappointing ending to the season for both Beckham and the Giants, there was speculation that the team might shop their 26-year-old Pro Bowl receiver.
But GM Dave Gettleman shot that down after making Beckham the highest-paid receiver in NFL history.
Gettleman on @obj: “We didn’t sign him to trade him.” #NYG
— Kimberly Jones (@KimJonesSports) January 2, 2019
While Beckham is all but certain to return to the Giants next season, the quarterback who’s helped him reach three Pro Bowls doesn’t have that assurance.
Gettleman has refused to commit to Eli Manning as the team’s quarterback come 2019, saying only “we’re in the evaluation process” when it comes to his future.
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