The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2023 season has been rife with drama, and New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers added a playful twist to the narrative during his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday morning. The conversation initially revolved around the controversial ending in the Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys game on Saturday night, but Rodgers took a surprising turn and brought up a play involving the Steelers' star linebacker, TJ Watt.
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Newest New York Jets quarterback, Aaron Rodgers stands in front of the media during his introductory press conference.
Pat McAfee asked Rodgers about the disputed play call in the Lions vs. Cowboys game, where the referees stated that the Lions lineman didn't report before the play, negating a two-point conversion that would have won them the game. Rodgers expressed his bewilderment at the uproar over that particular play call and pointed to another instance that actually benefited the Lions.
In this scenario, Aidan Hutchinson of the Lions attempted to trip a Cowboys player, but the referees called it back, deeming it tripping on the Cowboys. Rodgers highlighted that bad calls had occurred to the detriment of both teams, not just the Lions.
Steelers' TJ Watt Tripped Aaron Rodgers In 2021
However, what caught Steeler Nation's attention was Rodgers' playful jab at Watt, suggesting that Watt had committed a tripping offense against him. Rodgers recounted an incident from October 2021 when the Green Bay Packers faced off against the Steelers.
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Steelers' TJ Watt appears to trip Aaron Rodgers.
In that game, the Packers had a second-and-goal situation early in the third quarter. Watt attempted to rush Rodgers, who skillfully evaded him, but subsequently fell to the ground. It was apparent that Watt had extended his foot and tripped Rodgers during the play.
“First of all, I don’t think it should have been a trip because he didn’t get him down. Now there are trips that happen and have happened. I mean TJ Watt got a sack on me a few years ago when he totally tripped me and they didn’t call it.”
Rodgers' mention of this specific play from 2021, delivered in a light-hearted manner, drew attention to his perception of what constitutes tripping in the NFL. The fact that Rodgers still remembers this play in 2024 is a testament to the lasting impact it had on him.
TJ Watt just got away with a blatant trip on Aaron Rodgers. Stuck his right leg out, and that's the only thing that contacted Rodgers to bring him to the ground. No clue how that flag gets picked up. Huh.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) October 3, 2021
At the time, the play sparked considerable debate among fans, players, and analysts alike. Ultimately, the referees decided to pick up the flag and not penalize Watt for tripping. Whether Watt's action was intentional or not remains a topic of speculation. However, the incident serves as a prime example of what Rodgers believes constitutes tripping.
As Rodgers made his comment about Watt's tripping incident, one of McAfee's co-hosts playfully yelled "cheater," eliciting laughter from the group. Rodgers joined in on the jest, highlighting the good-natured tone of the discussion.
The Pat McAfe show
JJ Watt talks about the Steelers on The Pat McAfee Show.
It's worth noting that McAfee has a strong rapport with TJ Watt's brother, JJ Watt, who has been a frequent guest on the show. During these appearances, JJ has often discussed how his younger brother TJ frequently encounters what he perceives as unfair officiating. In this instance, the comment from Rodgers was a rare acknowledgment of an instance when the officials appeared to favor TJ Watt.
To be clear, Rodgers does not consider Watt to be a dirty player or a cheater. However, he raised the play as an example of what he believed to be a tripping incident involving Watt. At one point, Steeler Nation was hopeful Rodgers would team up with Watt in Pittsburgh before he ultimately became a Jet.
In the NFL, where split-second decisions and actions can impact the outcome of a game, it's not unusual for players and fans alike to recall specific plays, especially when they are surrounded by debate and controversy. The mention of this play serves as a reminder of the intricacies and subjectivity involved in officiating decisions in the league.
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