Malik Neighbors said he wants to be a role model for young fans and set himself as an example of responsibility.
The Giants started the season 0-2, losing 21-18 to the Commanders last Sunday despite a big performance from Neighbors, who had 10 catches for 127 yards and a touchdown.
The rookie receiver also dropped a pass late on fourth down that could have led to the Giants' winning run.
“It's hard to forget stuff like that,” Neighbors told The Post on Tuesday night. “I'm going to look back on it and feel like one of those losses was mine. I'm just going to keep moving forward and get better and try not to drop that pass again.”
Neighbors will be speaking as co-host of the VIP kickoff reception for the “NY Team of Heroes” gala on Dec. 9, which will raise $2 million for SBH Health System (St. Barnabas Hospital) in the Bronx.
His work with the nonprofit safety-net hospital marks his first major philanthropic endeavor in New York.
“It means a lot,” Neighbors said. “When I got drafted here I said I was going to get involved in the community and get involved in as many things as I can to help New York. The focus is going to be to help kids and become an adult that they can look up to and be like me.” [an athlete] Or find an alternative route.”
Neighbors lost a combined seven games over the past two seasons at LSU.
Given the rigors of their upcoming schedule, which resumes on Sunday against the Browns, there are outside rumors the Giants could suffer this many losses before earning their first NFL win.
However, there is a sense of positivity in the locker room.
“Adversity is going to come but it’s how you overcome it that counts,” Neighbors said. “When I look at my film there are a lot of things I can do better, like getting after the ball. [Devin Singletary’s] I was behind when the fumble happened. If I had gone after the ball, I probably could have picked it up. I just try harder when I'm on the field.”
Neighbors has the highest target share in a single game of any NFL receiver over the last nine years (18 of Daniel Jones' 28 passes), per CBS Sports, so no one should be questioning Neighbors' effort.
“Now I'm here and I'm living the dream,” Neighbors said. “I've proven I can compete with the guys in the league and I'm going to continue to work hard to help my team win.”
