JuJu Smith-Schuster doesn't hold back on his opinion of controversial play at end of game
Mac Jones looked to make one final play prior to the end of the game against the Miami Dolphins, heaving a long ball down the field. However, it was Dolphins' players who were there to receive it, with safety Brandon Jones jumping up to get the ball. Yet, JuJu Smith-Schuster was there to prevent an interception […]
Mac Jones looked to make one final play prior to the end of the game against the Miami Dolphins, heaving a long ball down the field.
However, it was Dolphins' players who were there to receive it, with safety Brandon Jones jumping up to get the ball. Yet, JuJu Smith-Schuster was there to prevent an interception from happening.
"Just saw the defensive player trying to go for the interception and then just trying to make play," Smith-Schuster told reporters (via The Boston Globe's Christoper Price). "He was coming down with the ball. Just tried to hit him in the chest and tried to get the ball out."
"Clean hit," Smith-Schuster added. "I mean I hit him and walked to the sideline."
The flag went with many wondering if it was in regards to the actual hit or if Smith-Schuster stood over him and "taunted" afterwards. He denies all of that.
Tensions flared following the hit and Christian Barmore was one of the players who went to defend his teammate.
"Them guys came at my teammate crazy," he told reports (via The Boston Herald's Doug Kyed) Came to our sideline. I was protecting my teammate."
Having been sidelined for the past two games with a concussion, Smith-Schuster was reportedly ready to go ahead of the game. However, despite not being listed on the inactive list, he was missing from action for the first three quarters.
"It's what the coaches, it's the decisions they made with the players, and it is what it is. I've been in situations like this before and obviously just want to make the most of it," Smith-Schuster said on his lack of playing time. "I knew it was a possibility and kind of just wait, let the game play by itself."
Yet, he did come into the game and got the Patriots' second and final touchdown of the day, also marking his first since coming to New England.
With that flag called on the play, the next question is whether Smith-Schuster will receive a fine from the NFL for the hit. That will be answered on Saturday.
Refs miss blatant unnecessary roughness penalty in Patriots-Dolphins game
No sure how they missed this one.
