While spending time with local children, DeMarcus Lawrence expresses his regret for a viral interaction with young fans

FRISCO – A 19 seconds video DeMarcus Lawrence, who refuses an autograph to a young Giants fan in New York, has generated more than 1.6 million views on Twitter on Twitter. It has attracted dozens of blog posts through outlets like Fox News and the Los Angeles Times. He inspired secular messages addressed to the Cowboys' defense.

The way Lawrence spent his Tuesday night will probably receive less traction.

For the second time in nine months, Lawrence and teammate Tyrone Crawford have partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of America to share and give gifts to young people. In December, the event provided 100 bicycles and helmets. Tuesday was 100 backpacks filled with various supplies for the children of Frisco, Plano and McKinney.

The video captured 27-year-old Lawrence in front of AT & T Stadium after the Cowboys' 35-17 win over the Giants. He was heading towards a vehicle and passing in front of a fan wearing the giant Saquon Barkley's sweater. The fan asked for an autograph. Lawrence continued to walk before looking back.

"You need the right jersey, my son," Lawrence said in the video.

Lawrence revisited this interaction Tuesday night at the Main Event, a bowling and arcade restaurant located near the Cowboys headquarters.

"It hurts," Lawrence said of the controversy. "It's not me, if I need me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to have my character on the field and off the field, trust me, I'd like to." I can not have my character on the field and out of the field … Sometimes I can not get off the ground fast enough I have not even managed to hit Saquon Barkley in the match, so seeing this jersey, I wanted to give him a little tackle. "

He followed laughing before giving up again, he has some regrets with the exchange.

"Yes," he says. "How do fans attack me, their situation, I mean, I could have phrased it differently." I really did not see the kid to be honest with you, but once I did I did, I thought to myself 'Oh man, yeah, you have to get yourself a new swimsuit.' This is not everyone who understands my sense of humor or who I am as a man.All will be fine. "

It seemed understood Tuesday night.

This release was planned three months in advance, said Joe Allen, founder / CEO of the non-profit organization Strikes For Kids. It turns out that this coincides with the video.

Lawrence played bowling and played other games, such as air hockey and basketball, with children. Former Frisco Mayor Mike Simpson was present as Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Collin County.

"I think very often, players do not get enough credit for what they're doing off the field," Simpson said. "People do not realize that he's going to be here two or three hours tonight with [a hundred] kids. He will also help them see what these guys really look like. They will want to grow up and say, "Hey, I can accomplish a lot. Look what he did. …

"It's been several years now, these kids are just surprised to have the opportunity to hang out with a guy like him, if you talk to him, he's very down-to-earth. young people and kids.I just think it's doing a phenomenal job.We are so happy that it's doing it again this year. "

Lawrence, a father of three, said that he thought Tuesday's event was a better representation of his character than the short video clip.

He added that he could not sign autographs for anyone who asks for it. He is unable to help everyone, he says, because "I am not God" or accept everyone's wishes because "I am not Santa Claus".

"The child should have worn the right shirt," Lawrence said. "There is nothing wrong with someone saying" no. "He's going to hear a lot about that in life, we're used to it, I know my kids are "Hear every day … I sign hundreds of autographs, but I can sign autographs when I want.It's my choice … the kid will be fine, trust me, I know, otherwise, I will write a public apology for having hurt him.

"Apart from that, I hope he'll get a DeMarcus Lawrence jersey for Christmas."

Briefly: Linebackers promoted linebacker Chris Covington on Tuesday in their training squad, a source said. Running back Jordan Chunn was dismissed in a matching move. The team should sign Chunn again with his training squad on Wednesday when he gives up for the first time at 3 pm. CT.

Twitter: @ GehlkenNFL