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Beckham says he respects Mara, focused on Falcons

Steven Ryan / Getty Images Sport / Getty

New York Giants star Odell Beckham Jr. responded on Friday to comments made by co-owner John Mara earlier this week, who said the wide receiver should spend less time criticizing the team amid a 1-5 start to the year.

"I respect and value his opinion, obviously," Beckham said, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan. "So that's what we're going to do, like I said, focus on Atlanta right now. That's really it."

Beckham initially called out the team's offense in an interview with ESPN's Josina Anderson earlier in October, saying he has received a lack of opportunities to make plays downfield.

Mara eventually responded, telling ESPN's Dan Graziano on Tuesday, "I think he needs to do a little more playing and a little less talking."

Beckham said he doesn't regret his remarks and is using the controversy as a learning experience.

"I've said this all the time: Never have any regrets. At one point in time, it was exactly what you wanted to say. It is what it is. I don't believe in 'everything is a test' or anything like that. Everything is an opportunity to learn and grow," Beckham said. "That's really it. There are no more tests. The testing is over. You've prepared for the test, you've studied for them. It's just an opportunity to learn and grow."

Sitting at 1-5, Beckham appears to have moved on and is focused on getting the Giants back on track amid what is shaping up to be another lost season.

"I'm ready to talk about the Atlanta Falcons. That's really it," he said. "That's the focus right now. We need to start winning games. I want to win too, just as bad as everybody else. That's really it. I just want to win."

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