Kansas City Chiefs Tight end Travis Kelce speculated on the reason behind Mac Jones’ low block on Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple over the weekend, adding that a play like that “has nothing to do with the league.” .
The “dirty play,” as Apple called it after the game, came late in the fourth quarter during a fumble recovery return. Jones dove in front of Apple, who was chasing Patriots catcher Tyquan Thornton.
Vonn Bell, #24 of the Cincinnati Bengals, pressures Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots while attempting a pass during the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2022, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
(Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Jones, who was fined for the work, said during his weekly radio appearance on WEEI that his only intention was to “stop [Apple] to slow down Tyquan.”
PATRIOTS’ MAC JONES TO FACE FINE FOR BLOCKING LOW ON BENGALS’ ELI APPLE REPORT
“He just fell in front of him, trying to prevent a fast guy from getting to another fast guy. It’s a split second decision, and there’s a lot involved,” he said.
But the veteran tight end said during the “New Heights” podcast that he believes something else played a role in Jones’ decision to drop.
“The internet is up in arms over Mac Jones’ attack on Eli Apple, a guy who talks a lot, and Mac Jones probably got sick of it. I think that might have played a role.”
Cincinnati Bengals number 20 Eli Apple reacts after breaking up a pass during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on October 16, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
(Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
“I hate to see it, man. I hate to see it. That kind of thing has nothing to do with the league,” he later added.
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older brother and philadelphia eagles center Jason Kelce apparently disagreed with him, adding that while it was a dirty hit, “I really don’t think it was that bad.”
“The first time I saw it, I thought it was very dirty, because Eli Apple is not even involved in the work,” he said. “I didn’t think he meant to hurt, like everyone does, personally. It’s definitely not acceptable.”
Both players agreed that a fine was warranted for the play.
New England Patriots number 10 Mac Jones looks down during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
(Nick Grace/Getty Images)
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Jones addressed the viral reaction to the play, and the notion that he is being considered a dirty player in the league, during a news conference on Wednesday.
“Everyone has an opinion, and the most important thing for me is to focus on being the best teammate I can be and earn the respect of the people in this building and the people I care about,” he said.
“Obviously, I respect everyone in the league. It takes a lot to get to this league. There are some very good players, and we’re all playing hard and trying to win. At the end of the day, you have to take that into account.”
