Seattle Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is known for his vicious hits. Standing a beastly 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds, Clowney has been fined for pummeling New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and once laid the most insane hit ever while he played for the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Now, Clowney is under fire for his hit on Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz in the first quarter that knocked Wentz out of the Seahawks-Eagles NFC Wild Card game at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday. The Eagles were forced to turn to backup quarterback Josh McCown and lost 17-9.
While Clowney was adamant that he didn't mean to injure Wentz, he said postgame he expects harsh backlash from Eagles fans.
"There might be death threats," Clowney told reporters in the locker room following the game. He also added that Philadelphia fans are the "worst fans in the world."
Jadeveon Clowney Hit on Carson Wentz
Clowney noted that Eagles fans already disliked him for his late hit on then-Eagles quarterback Nick Foles in a Week 16 matchup against the Houston Texans last year that forced Foles off the field for one play. Foles returned from the sideline and the Eagles won the game, 32-30. Clowney was fined more than $40,000 for that hit.
Clowney's hit on Wentz didn't draw a flag, however, despite the helmet-to-helmet nature of it. Referee Shawn Smith told a pool reporter after the game that the hit was simply incidental helmet contact, which Clowney lamented as well.
"I was just playing fast, and he turned like he was running the ball, so I was trying to get him down," Clowney told USA Today. "It was a bang-bang play. I don't intend to hurt anybody in this league, let me just put that out there. I've been down the injury road; it's not fun."
Wentz was placed into concussion protocol for the head injury before eventually being ruled out for the rest of the playoff game. McCown was unable to lead Philly to a win, ending the team's postseason and Super Bowl hopes.
Eagles teammates backed up their quarterback. Nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters said he told Clowney the hit was a "dirty play" and to "stay off my quarterback." Eagles coach Doug Pederson said he didn't see the play, while tight end Zach Ertz said he thought the hit was late as well.
Had it been Russell Wilson who endured the hit instead of Wentz, I'm sure Seahawks players and fans would've felt the same way.
The NFL Playoffs continue with the divisional rounds this weekend. The Vikings and 49ers face off before the Titans-Ravens on Saturday. Sunday features a Texans-Chiefs and Seahawks-Packers slate.
