Marissa Ayers, the girlfriend of New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, is making something clear.The NFL has increasingly featured players’ wives and girlfriends around training camp, a move aimed in part at broadening interest among female fans, but the approach has also drawn criticism. Marissa Ayers, girlfriend of New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, recently responded to negative comments about the presence of significant others at camp and their appearances alongside players on social media.

In a TikTok video, Ayers said the experience has allowed the women connected to the team to meet, spend time together and support their partners during the demanding preseason period.

She addressed comments questioning why girlfriends and wives were attending, explaining that certain training-camp sessions are more family-focused and provide an opportunity for everyone to connect.

Ayers also rejected the idea that their presence distracts players from football, noting that players typically spend two to three hours practicing before returning to meetings for much of the afternoon and evening.

Dart and Ayers were photographed sharing a moment on the field at Giants training camp on Aug. 10, adding to the attention surrounding the couple as New York approaches its first season under new head coach John Harbaugh.

Elsewhere around the league, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was also recently seen at training camp with singer Madison Beer, who announced their engagement on July 28.