Giants HC offers support after Ballentine shot in glute

New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur offered his support to sixth-round draft pick Corey Ballentine after the former Washburn cornerback was involved in a shooting on April 27, just hours following his selection.

Shurmur admitted, however, that he doesn't know how Ballentine is doing physically since the incident.

"We have not seen him yet. He got shot in the (glute) so I don't know," Shurmur said.

"I am really disappointed that he was the victim of a crime. He is a great young man. We got to know him really well through the draft process. ... It is very unfortunate that he was a victim of a crime. That could happen to any of us. We are here for him."

Ballentine's former college teammate, Dwane Simmons, was killed in the shooting. Ballentine was released from hospital days after the incident and is expected to make a full recovery.

"Yes, that is what they are saying, but it might take a little bit of time," Shurmur said.

Shurmur insisted the team will support its player as he goes through recovery and his friend's funeral.

"This is a unique situation. We want him to get full closure on his end. We are sensitive to that. This is a real-life situation. We want to make sure he gets full closure," Shurmur said. "It is May. We play in September. We want to make sure he gets done on that end what he needs to and gets the help that he needs."