Ndamukong Suh fires back at ‘Rodney’ White, Falcons (UPDATED)
Here's Ndamukong Suh grabbing Matt Ryan's facemask, not that there's anything wrong with that.
(UPDATED: 10:40 p.m. with White comments.)
Please excuse Ndamukong Suh if he is not well-versed in what’s considered acceptable behavior for an NFL player. Turns out, he may not even know the names of many NFL players.
Suh, the Detroit Lions’ defensive tackle who reportedly taunted injured Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan Sunday, fired back Monday, telling Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press: “Do I need Rodney White’s respect? No. Leave it at that.”
In fairness to Suh, he’s right. He doesn’t need Rodney White’s respect, whoever Rodney White is. The assumption is he doesn’t care about earning Roddy White’s respect, either.
This all started Sunday when White,Todd McClure and other Falcons said they heard Suh, Cliff Avril and possibly other Detroit linemen taunting Ryan when he was lying on the field. One of White’s comments: “Like 92 [Avril] was kicking [Ryan’s] feet, saying, ‘Get him off the field.’ We don’t do stuff like that. We don’t rally over guys when they get hurt. It was just inappropriate behavior. I mean, [Suh said] ‘Get the cart’? Are you serious? Come on. When you compete, you never want to see a guy get hurt.”
Neither Avril nor Suh were available for comment after the game. Avril took to Twitter Sunday night to deny the accusations: “Come on. I’m not in the business of hurting not one guy on the field… I would never taunt anyone on an injury.”
Suh’s comments Monday came from Burkett’s Twitter site. He reaffirmed what most know — that he doesn’t seem to care what anybody thinks about him — and he also took a shot at Falcons’ offensive linemen. The comments:
• Referring to the fact Ryan tripped over Falcons tackle Will Svitek: “To me it’s karma. For all the bad stuff they’ve done in the past, their offensive lineman hurt their own QB. So I’ll leave it at that”
• His quasi-denial: “I’m not even near their quarterback so how am I going to trash talk somebody that has a medical staff that’s all around him?”
• The slap: “Do I need Rodney White’s respect? No. Leave it at that.”
• He also called it, “He said/she said.” As Burkett noted, Suh never identified the “she.”
UPDATE: Here are some comments from White to the NFL Network, via ProFootballTalk.com:
“I mean I don’t really have much to say about what [Ndamukong Suh] said. I just know he’s going to say whatever he wants to say, but we know what they said. We were standing right there in the huddle, we saw when he went down and that’s before the medical staff got there that they said was in front of the play. . . .
“I know Suh said what he said. He said, ‘Go get the cart for him, get him out of here.’ He knows he said that and we’re not going to go back and forth about what he said-she said. And then he’s going to say it was karma for what we’ve done in the past when their quarterback gets hurt on the last play of the game and they have an MRI today.”
OK, this is a he said/he said. But Suh had been gaining a negative reputation in the league even before Sunday. So if this is a credibility contest, he’s probably going to lose.
By Jeff Schultz
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407 comments Add your comment
Fussball Fan
October 25th, 2011
1:38 am
Suh is a very intelligent football player and individual. You all would LOVE to have him on your team, so please enough with the “he is not a good player” garbage. Also, ANY fan who says Suh is not intelligent and scored a “zero” on his Wonderlic test is showing THEIR intelligence, or ,lack, there of. If you want to argue that he is dirty, or that you don’t like him as an individual, have at it, but please stop with the “he is dumb and has no talent” crap.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 25th, 2011
1:45 am
the Lions are gonna loose all their fancy foosball games!
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 25th, 2011
1:48 am
Actually I could care less what the Detroit lions say to our players.. we won and they lost and we have the NFC tiebreaker with them now..and the deepest burn of all? THEY LIVE IN DETROIT haha
I Hope Ovie and MATTY ICE are both healthy in 2 weeks, that’s the main thing!
Fussball Fan
October 25th, 2011
1:57 am
If a player has a problem with another player take it out on the field/between the lines, whether it is by beating him on a play, verbally telling/talking trash to him or (I hope it doesn’t have to be this way, but it happens EVERY game) getting him back in the pile. The latter is not meant to injure the player or put him out of the game, but it is meant to make them realize “Dude, I did not like what you did and there is a price to pay for your actions”. That is old school football. That is the way the game should be played. That is the honorable way to play football. DO NOT go to the media about it or go on twitter and whine about it.
cwltank
October 25th, 2011
2:30 am
The past is the past & whether the Falcon’s players were dirty in the past does not matter. Therfore, if they did they were wrong & there is no place in this league to taunt a man when he is down. Do any of you believe the Falcon players whom many are known to have high character would fabricate a story like this. Come on men, a blind man can see Suh, the misfits, & the coach have issues. They were exposed and the Falcons recieved the blue print from the 49ers. Now lets pass it to the other 31 teams.
Rusty
October 25th, 2011
2:43 am
Who the hell is “Burkett?” Is this reporter now taunting Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Me thinks you are a hack.
I like how he does not include the part about Roddy White discrediting his original quote about Cliff Avril kicking Matt Ryan. A very strange omission on his part don’t you think?
Ndamukong Suh
October 25th, 2011
2:54 am
Im is a punk Bitc@ and I am sorry for what I done did. OK chill, be cool, word to the mutha homie.
Ndamukong Suh
October 25th, 2011
2:55 am
Word!!! Wat upp my dawggss out there??
Rusty
October 25th, 2011
2:57 am
I am sorry but this reporter is not very good. Suh’s quotes did not come from Dave “Burkett’s” twitter account they came from Suh’s interview with the media. You can watch it on detroitlions.com under the videos. Didn’t anyone every tell you in journalism school to go to the source?
DR
October 25th, 2011
2:57 am
Wow, Suh really “is” a punk. Dam!!!
DR
October 25th, 2011
3:12 am
Dam Jeff , Your’e busted!!! Get the facts next time bro. Rusty’s right!!
Rusty
October 25th, 2011
3:35 am
Suh donated 2.6 million dollars to the University of Nebraska not to mention that he donates his time to charities and this reporter really thinks he has a credibility issue?
Watch his interview on detroitlions.com this is the closest you will ever get to seeing him lose his cool. I am sorry but he looks a little too genuine in his displeasure in having his honesty question. Hmm does Roddy White seem this upset with suh and avril saying he did not tell the truth?
Rusty
October 25th, 2011
3:45 am
And saying Cliff Avril would taunt an injured player is beyond unbelievable. If there was a contest for the nicest guy on the lions he would win it in a landslide.
Rusty
October 25th, 2011
3:57 am
So last year Nick Fairley cheap shots UGA’s quarterback and the Georgia O-line went after him for it latter in the game. And you mean to tell me that an O-Line that has been called out before for being over the edge actually hears Suh and Avril say this crap and they do nothing to them the rest of the game? That right there tells me something is wrong with this story.
Rusty
October 25th, 2011
4:04 am
So Roddy White discredits his original quote and there is not mention of it. I think in the credibility contest Mr. Schultz you would be losing.
Rusty
October 25th, 2011
4:14 am
*no
Rusty
October 25th, 2011
4:29 am
By the way Roddy White’s quote about the Falcons hearing Suh and Avril say that nonsense is half mad. How could they be huddled up as Matt Ryan is lying on the ground. If you watch the video it does not make sense
jay
October 25th, 2011
4:41 am
Why are the Falcons discussing this with the press? Whether Suh was taunting or not, that seems soft to me. I watched the game and I watched replay footage of that sequence and what I didnt see (and what you should see) is some pushing and shoving (at the least) initiated by some Falcons players if the Lions were taunting. In pro sports, there are certain instances where it is ok to draw an unsportsman-like conduct flag, a flagrant foul or a five minute major. To me discussing issues like this in the media is akin to snitching because you know every Sunday Todd McClure taunts opposing D-Lineman and Roddy White DEFINITELY does some trash talking to defensive backs. That’s just a part of the game.
Rusty
October 25th, 2011
4:44 am
This reporter writes that Suh makes a “quasi-denial.” He is such a hack how can that be a quasi-denial. He was asking a rhetorical question in which the answer was obvious. Please folks don’t take my word for it. Suh’s interview is on detroitlions.com. He said he had no comment towards the quarterback. In other words he denies the allegations while our quasi-sensational reporter tries to write otherwise.
jay
October 25th, 2011
4:45 am
Lions are soft as a newborn, just like the Eagles. All those big names and big talk and they just get punched in the mouth.
Ndfaipaelrgteng Sue needs to STFU before he gets hi-low’d next game.
##################################
And the Falcons win 10 plus regular season games every year and get knocked out in the first round of the playoffs.
Rusty
October 25th, 2011
5:00 am
Any offensive line worth its salt would have killed a defensive lineman if he actually said that crap to their injured quartetback. Even the Lion’s O-line, which cannot open a running lane to save their life, would have started a full on brawl if the same was said to Matt Stafford. And you mean to tell me this Atlanta O-line heard this nonsense and waited until after the game to confide in a reporter about what was said. At best they are lying and at worst they are cowards for not sticking up for their quarterback. I mean really the video doesn’t at least show one of them confronting Suh or Avril. Come on man!
Rusty
October 25th, 2011
5:30 am
Really the center should be the best friend of the quarterback. If this was Matt Stafford, Raiola would have gone bonkers. And McClure hears this garbage about his friend and does nothing the rest of the game. I really cannot believe this story. Either McClure is lying or does not have any balls, either way I do not have any respect for him.
MAURICE
October 25th, 2011
6:30 am
Did Roddy say Avril kicked “his” feet or did he actually say: Ryan? All I see are Ryan’s name in parentheses when referring to what Roddy said.
Terrell
October 25th, 2011
7:01 am
Jeff Schultz,
Whoever said that the Lions kicked Matt Ryan’s feet misquoted Roddy White. On NFL network he said that Cliff Avril #92 was kicking his (Avril’s feet) as a sign to telling them to get Ryan off the field. The press misquoted him.
Ron
October 25th, 2011
8:01 am
The more hey feel they have talk ,the better you are beating them! My dad always said if you can’t beat them talk to them!!
Tyler
October 25th, 2011
8:04 am
I use to like Ndamukong Suh but now I just think he is an idiot. I hope Matthew Stafford has an amazing season being a great UGA player but I also hope Detroit loses every game this year.
Falcon James
October 25th, 2011
8:11 am
Suh was right to tell them to bring the cart. Ryan was rivoting in pain and needed medical attention fast. The fastest way to get him off the field and in the locker to be checked out by the doctor is with the cart. I gets tired of people twisting up what somebody say just to get to get a story. Suh was just trying to help out. 92 was checking Ryan feet to feel if he had feeling in them. He was not kicking them.
Rodney need to get the story straight before he mouth off. He need to focus more on catching the ball with his hand rather than his mouth.
Football Fan
October 25th, 2011
8:22 am
The only “bad stuff” the Falcons O line has done in the past is play red-rover with opposing defenses and nearly get Ryan killed.
Dan
October 25th, 2011
8:23 am
Detroit acts like they are the NFL’s version of the 1990 “The U”. One major difference. “The U” never got smacked around at home, much less 2 weeks in a row at home. I said when Suh and Fairley went to the NFL that the thug act would not work. This is a job for these men and they cannot tolerate the cheap shots. The players will handle this on the field. Look for some chop blocks and low blocks to put these men in check.
GT
October 25th, 2011
8:23 am
Fairly is in the right place. He was controversial during his junior college transfer year at Auburn, now he is on this team. I give Detroit credit they are consistent in their job description.
I thought the real story was the miscommunication with Matt Stafford and his receivers. Quiet frankly I thought Stafford sucked or his receivers sucked on their pass patterns. They hardly looked Calvin’s way. I would be throwing that ball to Johnson even is tight spots. We are holding our breath hoping he doesn’t throw that direction and he was listening I guess.
CRO-MAGNON MAN
October 25th, 2011
8:40 am
SUE just mad cause he’s toting a major league A$$ whipping from Sunday’s lost….What a jerk….His time will come…..
joewhite
October 25th, 2011
8:40 am
Look roddy is becoming a media hore, i dont like it. If his twitter account was the football he would be leading the league in repction and yards and so far he is not close. Roddy shut up and play ball that is all you need to do.Hell I been coaching now for 17 years, yes some players want to hurt the other team best players it sports. We won that is all that matters
Richard Butkus
October 25th, 2011
8:43 am
The Falcons have a dress fitting on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Just a reminder…
barry the 2nd
October 25th, 2011
8:46 am
suhwee,suhwee…here piggee piggee!!! that’s how my dad used to round up pigs…
Chris Berman
October 25th, 2011
8:46 am
Just because the underperforming Falcons finally got their record above .500, they think they rule the NFL. Enjoy your first round whipping in the playoffs if you actually get there.
barry the 2nd
October 25th, 2011
8:47 am
Suhwee, suhwee…that’s how my dad got his first date with my mom. Then, I was born…with a cute little curly tail!
CRO-MAGNON MAN
October 25th, 2011
8:50 am
I guess Suh didn’t really get an A$$ whipping. I did for not cleaning my room in my parents’ basement.
Dan
October 25th, 2011
8:51 am
Anyone seen my cousin? I want to make sure she meets me at the altar on Saturday. Our children will be just CRAZY about the Falcons.
Lesa
October 25th, 2011
8:51 am
Check out this video from the game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=817uRxgUVkk
Watch the lower right hand corner of the screen. At about 22 seconds, you can see #92 making kicking motions with his leg. He is behind Eric Weems and Garrett Reynolds. It is very brief, but can be seen if you look closely.
When I first read that Roddy made the accusations, I was a bit skeptical, but when I read that Todd McClure backed up what he said, I believed it. McClure is not one to “run his mouth” or get over-emotional.
I find it really idiotic of Suh to talk about karma when it’s HIS QB that came out of the game with an actual injury, while #2 seems to be fine. BTW, any Falcon fan who still dogs out Ryan after the toughness he has shown this season is insane and not a real fan. You may criticize his play, but never doubt his character and desire to win. He is no “choke” artist. I for one am proud he is our QB.
blue
October 25th, 2011
8:52 am
Inspector Z; Ovie weighs, what…about 250? Do you think a DB of that size should try to take him on high? If his leg does not get stuck on the turf, he doesn’t get injured. But if I had to tackle him or Turner and their head is turned, I’m going low too…unless I’m another linebacker!
Tyler
October 25th, 2011
8:53 am
I hope Detroit loses every game this year. Of course, since they’ve already won five, I don’t think this is gonna happen. I also hope the Wizard of Oz gives me a brain!
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 25th, 2011
8:55 am
I was surprised for a second how many Lions fans apparently live in Atlanta metro, judging by many of the comments. I mean nobody would pull for the Lions who was not born in Michigan, so I guess it is true people can’t wait to get out of that hellhole city.
jay
October 25th, 2011
8:56 am
I’m going to Walmart today and get me some new Falcons boxer shorts. Let me remember…oh yeah, brown side in the back, yellow in the front. Anyone wanna go with me? I might get me a new air filter for my pick ‘em up truck, too!
cwltank
October 25th, 2011
8:58 am
The past is the past. And, the future is the future. And this little piggy went to market. And a penny saved is a penny earned. Blah..blah…blah.
Maurice
October 25th, 2011
9:01 am
Michael Turner just went for another 5 yards. Go Michael, go! Run that ball! Need some oxygen?
A second look: Atlanta Falcons string together big plays to increase halftime lead – MLive.com | Live Newsline
October 25th, 2011
9:02 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
Matt E. Lice
October 25th, 2011
9:04 am
I don’t know if Suh was talking trash or not, but he did tie the shoelaces from both of my shoes together. Thankfully, my own lineman kicked me down or I would have been so embarrassed from falling down. That Silly Suh.
ASHCAN.
October 25th, 2011
9:05 am
What is this????? as the world turns? all my children? this is football,who cares what was said.Im begining to think AJC and falcon fans are a bunch of cry babies! He say she say they say we say.
Chamber of Commerce
October 25th, 2011
9:07 am
We’d like to invite all of your Detroit folks to visit Atlanta. The Carter St. area is just beautiful this time of year and of course, the Marietta St. area is full of culture. If time permits, you can check out the Richardson St. “area of fun”. We are so proud of our city and hope y’all make it down soon. Ya hear?
New York 1
October 25th, 2011
9:08 am
I can’t believe that Detroit thought it had a chance to win the game anyway. They are losers period. Now they have a loser for a coach and some boy named sue, come on man. That’s some funny stuff right there !