Ben Boulware on penalty for suplex: ‘I’m too strong’
Ben Boulware is developing a reputation for being a player whose tackles create controversies. And he’s not exactly playing the victim card too well.
The Clemson linebacker received a penalty for doing a “suplex” tackle against Syracuse on Saturday (video here). There is no specific rule against such a tackle, but officials frown upon it and gave Boulware a penalty. All Clemson was told was the tackle was too hard.
“They said he tackled him too hard,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said Sunday via the Post and Courier. “I know it looked bad, I get that.”
Boulware gave a seemingly sarcastic response.
“Honestly, he was trying to go forward, and I’m behind him, so I don’t know what other way I’m going to tackle him, other than trying to pull him back,” Boulware said of the tackle Sunday, via the Post and Courier. “I’m too strong. I play football too hard, I guess.”
Clemson beat up on Syracuse pretty badly 54-0, so the penalty really wasn’t an issue. But Boulware’s extra physical defensive style has been creating problems. He also apologized for this choke hold on Lamar Jackson.
