Detroit Lions All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph on Tuesday had a stern message for anyone calling him a dirty player.
Joseph drew negative headlines last season for a tackle he made in the Lions’ Wild Card round playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams. Joseph’s low hit on Tyler Higbee seriously injured the Rams tight end.
Matthew Stafford called Joseph out by sarcastically saying it was a “good hit.” The moment went completely viral on social media.
Joseph appeared on “NFL Spotlight” this week and was asked by host Ari Meirov about his negative reputation that still persists among some fans. The Lions star was more than ready to respond.
“I don’t really care about nobody’s opinion, for real,” said Joseph. “I’m going to tackle how I tackle. I’m going to get them down how I get them down. Because the moment I hesitate, the moment I second-guess myself … that’s when I get hurt.
“This is football. When you sign up to play this game, you sign up for injuries. … The people complaining about dirty hits, they just soft. They don’t know football. I feel like I got that narrative because old boy (Matthew Stafford) wanted to come and talk crazy because he mic’d up.”
Joseph has been a breakout player for the Lions in his third NFL season. The Illinois alum led the NFL with nine interceptions. He was also third on the team with 83 total tackles during the regular season.
Despite earning a 1st-Team All-Pro nod for the first time in his career, Joseph was not named a Pro Bowler.
While some may still see Joseph as a dirty player, at least one legendary NFL defender has the Lions safety’s back.
