Skip to content

Watch: Joc reads fantasy football group texts that angered Pham

Dylan Buell / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Warning: Story contains coarse language

San Francisco Giants outfielder Joc Pederson offered his side of the story regarding his now infamous fantasy football beef with Cincinnati Reds outfielder Tommy Pham.

Pederson admitted to drawing Pham's ire by mocking his now-former team, the San Diego Padres, in their group chat last year. Pederson sent a GIF making fun of the Padres' poor play in the second half of last season to members of the chat, which included some of Pham's then-teammates.

He showed the GIF to reporters following Saturday's Giants-Reds game.

"It is true. I did send a GIF making fun of the Padres, and if I hurt anyone's feelings, I apologize for that," Pederson said.

Pham clearly wasn't amused by the joke, as Pederson revealed the former left the fantasy league within weeks of the incident. He then slapped Pederson before Friday's game in Cincinnati, for which he received a three-game suspension.

Pham characterized Pederson's mocking of the Padres as "disrespectful shit" and also claimed he "fucked with my money." Pederson confirmed there was "a lot of money involved" in the fantasy football league but didn't offer any more specifics.

On Friday, Pederson said Pham was initially angry about an ineligible player being stashed on injured reserve in their league.

Pederson went 1-for-3 with an RBI in the Giants' 3-2 loss to Cincinnati on Saturday.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox