"It wasn't illegal": Saints WR Equanimeous St. Brown argues over scary DeVonta Smith hit with brother Amon-Ra
The hit that DeVonta Smith took last Sunday has opened a can of worms for all sorts of discussions regarding tackling in the NFL. The St. Brown household wasn’t spared from this as well and the brothers took opposite sides in the debate.
Last Sunday, star wide receiver DeVonta Smith was tackled by Khristian Boyd in the fourth quarter. The Philadelphia Eagles man was called out of the field for concussion protocol and did not get back in the game. The NFL fans had a lot to say about the tackle, now the pros have also stepped up.
The New Orleans Saints WR and Boyd’s teammate Equanimeous St. Brown was on a podcast with his brother Amon-Ra St. Brown this Wednesday. The brothers argued with each other regarding the tackle. The Detroit Lions WR made his stance clear that the tackle was unnecessary and it should’ve been fouled.
Equanimeous St. Brown, on the other hand, did not agree with the points of his brother. On the podcast, the older brother defended his teammate and suggested that they are taught to play till the whistle.
“Let me explain since you weren't there,” said Equanimeous. “You were watching some f**king Twitter. Did you hear the whistle on Twitter? No. They didn't blow the whistle.
“Okay, so, what do you want me to do? It's football. You're supposed to hit the guy with the ball. He hit him with the shoulder in the chest. It wasn't illegal. Injuries happen in football. He wasn't trying to hurt him. He happens to be a D-lineman, and DeVonta Smith happens to be a small receiver. That's what happens when you get hit by a big dude.”
On the podcast, Equanimeous refused to agree that the hit by Boyd was on the head of Smith. Their discussion concluded with neither of them budging from their positions.
The NFL fines Khristian Boyd for the tackle on DeVonta Smith
While the tackle on Smith was deemed legal by the on-field referees, the NFL has stepped up to fine the Saints rookie. Boyd will have to fork up $4,600 as per a Saints beat reporter.
“Khristian Boyd was fined $4,600 for his hit on Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith,” Matthew Paras, the reporter, posted on X.
The maximum allowed penalty for a tackle on a defenseless player for a first-time offender is $16,883. However, Boyd has been penalized following his pay, and under the rules, the first offense cannot be fined more than 10% of the earnings of the player per game.