Eli Apple's mom criticizes Giants owner John Mara for abuse remarks in letter

Annie Apple, the mother of New York Giants first-round pick Eli Apple, continued her criticism of owner John Mara in a letter published on SI.com.

Apple, a victim of domestic violence, took to Twitter last Thursday to criticize Mara’s comments regarding kicker Josh Brown, then followed with the letter.

On Thursday, Mara said this about Brown: “He certainly admitted to us that he abused his wife in the past. What’s a little unclear is the extent of that.”

Some excerpts:

— “The comments made by John Mara, owner of the New York Giants, were insensitive, dismissive and callous. How are you a so-called champion of domestic violence but lack basic compassion for a victim? Yes, this man signs my son's checks as I've been reminded on Twitter. Mr. Mara owns the New York Giants. He doesn't own Annie Apple. Wrong is wrong. And Mr. Mara's comments were unapologetically wrong and hit at a raw place.

Giants owner John Mara: Josh Brown 'certainly' told us he abused wife

“I am a domestic violence survivor.”

— “To some with whom I've shared my story, the response is usually: "How could that have happened to you? You're so smart, strong, bubbly and outgoing." Domestic violence is perpetrated on strong women, smart women, poor women, rich women, even bubbly women. It happened to me, and every day it happens to millions of others just like me.

“Some have called me a distraction because speaking up for a cause the Giants have reportedly championed for years makes me a distraction. Others have called me a hero for speaking up. Honestly, I'm not a hero. I'm not special. I just know that in life, there are times when certain things are more important than your personal comfort or the game of football.

“This is one of those times.”