Sintim steps into reserve role with the Giants

The tradition started in college when Virginia played at Maryland. Kofi Sintim would place two Cavalier flags on his car and drive around the College Park campus acting like he was lost and needing directions.

In reality, Kofi, whose son Clint played linebacker for Virginia, knew exactly where he was and knew exactly what he was doing: supporting his son and his son’s team, while at the same time engaging in some good-natured ribbing at the expense of the Terrapin fan base.

Things haven’t changed now that Clint is in the NFL. 

On Saturday, Kofi revived his ritual by replacing the Cavalier flags with New York Giants flags and driving into D.C. to start stirring things up again. The reason was simple. Clint is a rookie linebacker for New York, the Giants are hosting the Washington Redskins today and a tradition is a tradition.

It didn’t matter that Clint was listed as doubtful for today’s game because of a groin injury. Kofi’s boy is playing professional football and that is worth bragging about.

“It’s my son and I am proud of him,” Kofi said.

After a stellar career as a four-year starter with Virginia, Clint Sintim was selected in the second round by New York in the 2009 NFL Draft. From the start, the Giants were eager to see how Sintim fit into their defensive scheme.

Although he switched from a 3-4 alignment at Virginia to a 4-3 with New York, Sintim’s main calling card remained the same: rushing the passer. That was Sintim’s speciality at Virginia, where in 2008 he led the nation’s linebackers with 11 sacks.

A pulled hamstring delayed Sintim’s workouts in the spring, but once training camp began last month and he was physically healthy, Sintim opened eyes with his play and toughness.

On Aug. 13, while working with the first-string defense in practice, Sintim tried to knock the ball loose from running back Brandon Jacobs. Instead, Sintim hit Jacobs in the neck.

Upset by that, Jacobs came at Sintim and the two were face to face before teammates separated them. Through it all, Sintim held his ground.

Then on Aug. 17 in New York’s 24-17 preseason win over Carolina before a nationally-televised audience, Sintim wowed the crowd by recording four tackles and a sack and forcing a fumble.

Jon Gruden, the former NFL coach who was working the ESPN broadcast as an analyst, was so impressed with Sintim that he thought the rookie should be given the game ball.

Sintim knew none of this. It wasn’t until after the game as he was on the bus headed back toward training camp in Albany, N.Y., that his dad filled him in on all the good feedback he’d received for his performance.

“He had some butterflies in his stomach before the game, but he told me he was excited, but surprised,” Kofi Sintim said.

Sintim stayed humble in the face of all the praise.

“It was a solid game for me and I had some positives,” Sintim said. “But there are things to get better on as well. That’s my objective.”

Sintim allowed himself one outburst after the sack when he performed a dance called “The Diddy Bop.” That display raised some eyebrows, but Sintim downplayed it, especially given the fact he had stolen the move from Nate Collins, a nose guard who played with Sintim at Virginia.

“[Collins] saw the game and texted me to tell me to never steal his dance again,” Sintim said.

At the moment, Sintim is listed as the backup strongside linebacker behind Danny Clark. But because of his pass-rushing skills, Sintim will find himself playing some defensive end when the situation warrants it.

Sintim doesn’t care how he is used on the field as long as he can contribute.

“I have no expectations,” Sintim said. “I want to play football and want to produce. I want to get it done however I need to get it done.”

Sintim has been too busy to get caught up in much else outside of football. He has an apartment about 15 minutes away from New York’s training facility in East Rutherford, N.J., but has spent most of his time preparing for the upcoming season.

Still, Sintim has a growing number of fans who are planning on following him this season.

Although he kept a low profile about it, word got out at Kofi Sintim’s church that his son played for the Giants.

Next thing you know, a fan brought Kofi out to his car to show off the New York Giant cushion seats inside the man’s automobile.

A family friend in the New York area, meanwhile, asked Kofi if he could start a Clint Sintim fan club.

Kofi said he had no issue with that. In fact, the only potential issue Kofi sees on the horizon is when the Redskins play Philadelphia. Kofi is an Eagles fan.

“When that happens, that’s a problem I will have to deal with,” Kofi Sintim said.

In the meantime, the Giants’ flags will wave proudly from his car, a reminder to the world of how much he loves his son, while also adding a little harmless jab on the side toward the opponent’s fans just to keep things fun.

Sports editor David Fawcett can be reached at 703-878-8052.