NFL star Gardner sauce responded after a young fan had a meltdown after being traded to the Indianapolis Colts.
Gardner, 25, was traded by the New York Jets to the Colts on Tuesday, Nov. 4, prompting major reactions from around the football world.
One young fan in particular took the news of Gardner’s trade hard, which the boy’s father captured and posted on social media.
“When your kids favorite player is Sauce Gardner and they trade him while he’s in school,” the father said. subtitled the videowhich featured his son breaking down in tears and lamenting the fact that he would have to get a new Jets jersey.
“I don’t like the Jets now!” the boy shouted after stomping his feet in anger. He added, “Now I like the Colts!”
Gardner reposted the video on his Instagram story on Tuesday, writing: “Could have waited until tomorrow to tell them 😂.”
The All-Pro cornerback was traded to the Colts for two first-round picks (one in 2026, one in 2027) and a wide receiver Adooi Mitchell.
“Having the opportunity to acquire a talented player like Sauce Gardner was something we didn’t want to pass on,” the Colts general manager said. Chris Ballard said in a statement. “He was a player we scouted a lot coming out of college and there’s a reason he was the fourth overall pick. Sauce is a proven corner. His skill and competitive nature will elevate the play of everyone on the defensive unit. We’re thrilled he’s a Colt.”
Ballard, 56, added: “On the same note, AD Mitchell is a great person and a great player. We believe he will be successful in New York and wish him the best as he enters the next chapter of his career.”
Gardner was selected by the Jets with the fourth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
In 55 career games played, all with the Jets, Gardner has three interceptions, 46 passes defensed, one sack and 201 tackles.
Gardner has six passes defensed and 20 tackles in the seven games he has played during the 2025 season.
Under the new coach Aaron Glennthe Jets are a disappointing 1-7, tied for the fewest wins in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans and New Orleans Saints.
Allante GardnerSauce’s brother and agent, he told ESPN Tuesday that the cornerback didn’t see the change coming.
“I told him this is a business decision and he understands that,” Allante said. “The Jets made a business decision. They couldn’t turn it down and (Sauce) deserves to be on a winning football team.”
Sauce signed a four-year, $120.4 million contract extension with the Jets in July, a deal that made him the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback.
“This is just the beginning,” Gardner wrote vix X at the time. “I appreciate the Jets organization for believing in me, my teammates for the blood, sweat and tears we’ve put in, and JETS NATION … I appreciate you supporting me.”
According to ESPN, the Colts will be responsible for paying a prorated portion of Gardner’s $1.25 million base salary in 2025, though his financial commitment will increase starting in 2026.