NFL star Sauce Gardner responded after a young fan had a meltdown after he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts.
Gardner, 25, was traded by the New York Jets to the Colts on Tuesday, November 4, which drew major reactions from across the football world.
One young fan, in particular, took the news of Gardner’s trade quite hard — which the boy’s father captured and posted on social media.
“When your sons favorite player is Sauce Gardner and they trade him while he’s at school,” the dad captioned the video, which featured his son breaking down in tears and lamenting the fact that he’d have to get a new Jets jersey.
“Now I don’t like the Jets!” the boy screamed after stomping his feet in anger. He added, “I like the Colts now!”
Gardner reposted the video to his Instagram Story on Tuesday, writing, “He could’ve waited til 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 wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
“Having the opportunity to acquire a talented player like Sauce Gardner was one we did not want to pass on,” Colts general manager Chris Ballard said in a statement. “He was a player that we scouted heavily coming out of college and there’s a reason he was the fourth overall pick. Sauce is a proven cornerback. His skill and competitive nature will elevate everyone’s play 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 have success in New York, and we 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 defended six passes and recorded 20 tackles in the seven games he’s played during the 2025 season.
Under new head coach Aaron Glenn, the Jets are a disappointing 1-7, tied for the fewest wins in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans and New Orleans Saints.
Allante Gardner, Sauce’s brother and agent, told ESPN on Tuesday that the cornerback did not see the trade 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 highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.
“This is only the beginning,” Gardner wrote vix X at the time. “I appreciate the Jets organization for believing in me, my teammates for the blood, sweat, & tears we put in, and JETS NATION… I appreciate y’all supporting me.”
Per ESPN, the Colts will be responsible for paying a prorated portion of Gardner’s $1.25 million base salary in 2025, though their financial commitment will increase beginning in 2026.
