5 NFL stars who started a beef with a former player for criticizing them ft. Lamar Jackson

Lamar Jackson didn't take kindly to criticism from Bernard Pollard

NFL players are under constant scrutiny. It comes with the territory of being a professional athlete, yet what particularly angers current players is when former NFL stars are critical of them.

There is a sense that players can’t understand why those who know the pressure they are under look to pile it on further once they retire and move into media positions.

Some criticism is fair and based entirely on what a player does on the field. Yet, there have been numerous instances where criticism from a former NFL player has led to a feud with a current player.

Whilst popularly described as ‘beef’ on social media, these rivalries can take place strictly online or involve players speaking directly to their critics in the media or on a television show.

The potentially explosive dynamic of a former player who doesn’t feel as much of an affinity with the next generation often plays out in insults being exchanged. Sometimes, even teammates become involved.

Here is a list of five NFL stars who got into a verbal altercation with a former player for criticizing them.

#1 Lamar Jackson with Bernard Pollard

Lamar Jackson is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and has previously won the MVP award, yet that doesn’t make him immune to criticism.

Former Baltimore Raven Bernard Pollard fired the first shot when he labeled Jackson a top-10 talent but not a top signal-caller. He also said that elite wide receivers don’t want to play with Jackson because he can’t throw the ball.

The criticism once again centered around the ludicrous talk that followed Jackson into the NFL Draft, where many said he would be a running back rather than a QB.

Jackson proved those people wrong in the most emphatic fashion and it's understandable why he lost his cool with Pollard. Jackson replied on Twitter:

“You sound dumb asf. You been cappin since I been playing for the Ravens, I never heard of you, tbh my boy you got your Super Bowl cause of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. Nobody speak of you, I never heard of you, I had to google you lil bra.”

Jackson also claimed that if he was playing against Pollard, he would have made no second thoughts about running at him. According to Jackson, Pollard would "never be the same" after a clean hit from.

Eventually though, things cooled down and the two made up on Twitter. Pollard apologized to Jackson who accepted it.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣bra got a 6second college highlight you mad fr I wish I played against you 😈😈😈😈😈😈😈 I would’ve threw the ball to coach and ran straight at yo sorry ass BERNARD❗️ twitter.com/crushboy31/sta…

#2 DK Metcalf with Shannon Sharpe

Shannon Sharpe is a larger-than-life figure who is thoroughly enjoying his post-NFL career in the media.

However, his criticism of DK Metcalf of the Seattle Seahawks drew a fiery response from the wide receiver.

Metcalf was criticized by Sharpe after he elected to try and gain more yards on a play against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He wrote on Twitter:

"What was DK thinking? Why try to play hero *football emoji* in that situation?"

It resulted in a fumble, although the Seahawks were able to recover the ball. Sharpe was critical of Metcalf taking extra time off the clock with his run as the team ran out of time to spike the ball and set up a field goal.

After Sharpe shared his piece on television, the wide receiver immediately took to Twitter to fire back.

“Stop questioning me lil boy. From the looks of it, I can wipe my *s**t emoji* with yours. Continue to gossip you washed up wannabe.”

From the looks of it i can wipe my 💩 with yours! Continue to gossip you washed up wanna be. twitter.com/ShannonSharpe/…