Philadelphia Eagles back LeSean McCoy should be considered the best running back in the NFL this season.
Philadelphia Eagles back LeSean McCoy is one of several players to respond to a video showing teammate Riley Cooper yelling a racial slur during a concert in June. Reuters

Heated rivals the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles will battle on the gridiron Sunday night, which means the Osi Umenyiora-LeSean McCoy feud is in full effect.

The war of words between Umenyiora and McCoy previously played out on Twitter, but now the Giants defensive end and Eagles running back have taken to ESPN to continue the feud.

McCoy instigated the latest round, calling Umenyiora “a ballerina in a Giants uniform.”

"Osi, to be honest, he is a good player," McCoy said on ESPN’s news magazine show, “E:60.” "I think he thinks that he is better than what he really is. I think he is a ballerina in a Giants uniform. Other than that, that is all I got to say about Osi."

Umenyiora responded not through trash talk, but by gloating about his two Super Bowl rings with the Giants.

"He is probably right," Umenyiora said, according to ESPN.com. "I might be a ballerina in a Giants uniform. I am lucky that I got the contract, I'm lucky to be playing 10 years in the league, won Super Bowls, all that is pure luck.”

The Umenyiora-McCoy feud began in June 2011, when the Eagles running back called the Giants defensive end “soft” and “overrated” on Twitter.

“Overrated and soft 3rd best d-line on his team honestly,” McCoy wrote.

Umenyiora fought back by referring to McCoy as “Lady Gaga” and “she” to a New York Times reporter.

“She can say whatever he wants about it,” the defensive end told The Times’ Mark Viera.

The feud has cropped up even beyond football season, like when Umenyiora mocked McCoy on Mother’s Day 2012.

"Happy Mothers [sic] Day Lesean Mccoy! Enjoy your special day!!" the defensive end tweeted.

“Lol let the beef begin,” McCoy responded.

The exchange occurred around the same time McCoy was given a five-year contract extension with the Eagles after a productive 2011 season in which the running back ran for 1,309 yards, with 17 rushing touchdowns.

Umenyiora said in the “E:60” piece set to air Tuesday night that he wishes McCoy the best.

"I am happy for him," the Giants defensive end said. "I'm happy that he got his contract, and I am happy that everything is working out for him in Philadelphia."

The Eagles-Giants game kicks off at 8:20 p.m. EDT Sunday on NBC from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

National Football League