Jaylon Smith appeared to taunt an injured opponent after he made a big play to break up a pass in the end zone during Thursday night’s game between the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears, but the linebacker insists he was celebrating his own accomplishment and nothing more.
Smith made a nice play to prevent Bears wide receiver Javon Wims from catching a touchdown pass with seconds remaining in the first half, and Wims injured his knee on the play. When Smith saw Wims down in pain on the turf, he appeared to look right at him and taunt him with a hand gesture.
/sees Javon Wims is hurt
/celebrates anyway pic.twitter.com/3zTELT1ojH— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) December 6, 2019
That looked pretty deliberate, but Smith tweeted after the game that he was unaware Wims had gotten hurt. He said he only meant to celebrate the result of the play.
To clear the air, I was unaware my opponent was down with an injury following a play in tonight’s game! I understand how it feels to be down with an injury and would never wish that upon anyone. I celebrated after making a big play. Sending a speedy recovery his way. #CEV
— Jaylon Smith (@thejaylonsmith) December 6, 2019
As Smith mentioned, he knows what it feels like to have to overcome an injury. The former Notre Dame star suffered two torn ligaments and nerve damage in his knee while playing in the Fiesta Bowl prior to being drafted in 2016, and some wondered if he would ever be able to play in the NFL. He has since become one of the best linebackers in football and is leading the NFL with 120 tackles on the season.
It seemed fairly obvious that Wims was hurt, so Smith’s excuse isn’t going to fly with some people. Typically the classless reactions to injuries are reserved for fans, but Smith may have gotten a little too caught up in the moment on Thursday night.
