Golf Legend Phil Mickelson Praises ‘Hero’ Daniel Penny

Golf legend Phil Mickelson on Friday praised 26-year-old former U.S. Marine Daniel Penny, who’s currently being tried in New York City for the death of Jordan Neely.

Penny restrained Neely on the NYC subway last year, after Neely, a troubled man with a lengthy criminal record and a history of mental health issues, allegedly threatened passengers.

Responding to a post that called Penny a “hero,” Mickelson wrote on X, “Agree. Thank you Daniel for serving your country and for protecting the many passengers whose lives were threatened by this violent and deranged individual.”

Agree. Thank you Daniel for serving your country and for protecting the many passengers whose lives were threatened by this violent and deranged individual. https://t.co/tUI5pe7pFV

— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) December 6, 2024

“Daniel Penny is a model citizen who should be praised by the city of New York,” the post Mickelson responded to said. “He is a breed of young men who are becoming less and less common.”

Collin Rugg, who authored the post, said Penny “put his own safety at risk to help others.”

“He didn’t cower or pull out his phone to film when Jordan Neely started threatening to k*ll people,” Rugg wrote. “Instead, he took it upon himself to protect subway passengers.”

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“He was praised by the passengers on the train but was ridiculed by the city of New York,” the post continued. “He is the citizen that every mayor of every city should want more of. He is the person you hope is around if your loved ones’ lives are being threatened.”

“Anyone who is quiet about this injustice lacks moral clarity and should take a long look in the mirror,” Rugg closed the post. “Daniel Penny is a hero.”

Daniel Penny is a model citizen who should be praised by the city of New York.

He is a breed of young men who are becoming less and less common.

He puts his own safety at risk to help others.

He didn’t cower or pull out his phone to film when Jordan Neely started threatening… pic.twitter.com/sSl74Mji0W

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 6, 2024

Penny was controversially charged by liberal District Attorney Alvin Bragg with second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in Neely’s death. During jury deliberations on Friday, however, the second-degree manslaughter charge was dismissed by the judge at the state’s request.

If convicted on the remaining count, Penny could serve up to four years behind bars.

Related: Here’s Why The State Dropped Top Charge In Daniel Penny Case, And Why Defense Is Calling Foul